Screening Safely

If employees are being screened for COVID-19 onsite, follow these safety tips:

• Maintain 6 feet of distance between employees who are waiting to be screened
• Require face coverings for screeners and employees if they can medically tolerate them
• Screen in a location that is not a confined space
• Design a way to screen that prevents others from hearing what is being said and to minimize others from observing screenings
• Incorporate social distancing or physical barriers, such as a plexiglass barrier, to minimize the screener’s and the employee’s exposure during the screening

Temperature Checks

Workplaces are not required to check employee temperatures. If, however, you decide to conduct temperature checks:

• Use a non-contact thermometer, such as an infrared forehead thermometer or infrared scanner.
• Don't use oral or tympanic thermometers (tympanic thermometers use a probe that goes in the ear).
• When non-contact thermometers are used and the screener does not have physical contact with an employee, gloves do not need to be changed before the next check.
• Keep a supply of alcohol wipes in the screening area to sanitize equipment that inadvertently comes in contact with screened employees.
• Clean after each employee is screened if there is contact.

Results

If the screening tool indicates an employee does not currently have symptoms, they must still continue practicing social distancing, wearing face coverings, and hand washing.

If the screening tool indicates an employee has one or more symptoms of COVID-19, they must not report to work.

Documentation

All information collected from employees must be kept confidential and can only be maintained in the employee’s medical or health file, in the same way as the employer maintains medical notes for leave purposes.

Keep these records separate from the employee’s personnel file.

Antibody Tests

Antibody tests for COVID-19 can't be used to detect whether someone is currently sick or infected. It is also unknown if a positive antibody test means that someone is protected from getting COVID-19 again. Antibody tests should not be used to decide whether someone should or should not work.

Further Assistance

If you have provided proof that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you are allowed to remove your mask in the workplace (indoors and outside) unless you are interacting with the public or are in a:

• Correctional facility
• Health care setting
• Homeless shelter
• Nursing home
• Pre-k through 12th grade school
• Public transit

You may also stop being limited by physical distancing.

Even if you are vaccinated, you are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings in indoor public settings.

Unvaccinated workers must keep wearing masks at all times.

Learn more about "Return to Office" guidance.

Complaints

You can report a City agency not complying with "Return to Office" guidelines.

City Employees

By September 13, all City workers, except for Department of Education (DOE) employees, are required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine or they will need to be tested weekly for COVID-19.

By September 27, all DOE employees — including teachers, principals, custodians, and all central office staff — must receive at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. There is no testing alternative for people who are not vaccinated.

Contact your agency’s human resources department for more guidance.

New Hires

As of August 2, all new NYC government hires must be vaccinated against COVID-19. There is no testing alternative for people who are not vaccinated.