Governor signs legislation giving employees time off to get Covid-19 vaccine

Workers granted up to 4 hours of excused leave per injection

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed legislation (S.2588-A/A.3354-B) granting public and private employees time off to receive the Covid-19 vaccination.

Under this new law, employees will be granted up to four hours of excused leave per injection that will not be charged against any other leave the employee has earned or accrued. This legislation becomes effective immediately.

“Our essential employees have been on the front lines of this pandemic since day one, and as we begin to work toward a new normal in a post-pandemic world, it is critical that these employees are able to get vaccinated as quickly as possible to protect themselves and their families,” Governor Cuomo said. “This legislation will allow both public and private employees to take time off to get vaccinated without exhausting the leave they have earned, putting us one step closer to getting every single New Yorker vaccinated and defeating this virus once and for all.”

Assemblymember Charles D. Fall, D-Staten Island, said, “The quicker and more efficient we can get residents of New York vaccinated, the faster we can reopen businesses, further extend business hours in a safe manner and once again achieve normalcy in our daily lives. We all realize that the vaccine roll-out has not been smooth, to date, but with the federal administration bringing forth a clear plan to get more vaccine in arms, this law ensures that hardworking New Yorkers are not forced to choose between losing wages and receiving their vaccination.”