NY releases guidance for childcare and camp programs

Masking and social distancing still required for those not vaccinated

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office 

File photo by Tom Rivers: A child swings at Camp Rainbow in Ridgeway in this photo from August 2015. Camp Rainbow is owned and operated by the Arc of Genesee Orleans, which will offer the camp this summer.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced updated guidance for health and safety measures at childcare, day camp, and overnight camp programs, effective May 19.

The measures include protocols for Covid testing, physical distancing and sanitation, among other requirements to help prevent Covid-19 cases. The Department of Health will continue to monitor and evaluate health metrics for child care facilities and camp programs and, if necessary, will issue further guidance.

“We are continuing to make incredible progress against Covid and lifting restrictions based on the science and numbers, but we are not yet at the finished line,” Cuomo said. “To help ensure maximum protections for staff and children at childcare and camp programs, we are issuing this guidance so the facilities can implement basic but critical measures that will allow them to operate safely.”

Facilities and programs must collect Covid-19 vaccination status and documentation for all staff and children, and implement mandatory daily health screening practices of their staff and visitors including daily temperature checks. Facilities and programs need to notify the state and local health department immediately upon being informed of any positive Covid-19 test result by a staff member or child at their site.

Each site must implement a property-specific capacity limitation for children and campers that ensures appropriate social distancing. Staff who are not fully vaccinated must maintain a distance of at least six feet from other unvaccinated staff.

Children and campers over the age of two and staff who are not fully vaccinated must wear face coverings except when eating, drinking, showering, swimming, or sleeping/resting. Since face coverings have been proven to be effective when distancing is not feasible, facilities and programs must provide and require the use of face coverings for individuals who are not fully vaccinated.

Additional hygiene and cleaning and disinfection requirements as advised by the CDC and Department of Health must also be followed.

Full guidance for facilities and programs is available by clicking here.