ALBANY, N.Y. – With cases of influenza continuing to decline in New York State, Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald has announced that flu is no longer prevalent in the State for the 2024-25 influenza season. The declaration lifts the masking requirement for health care workers who are not vaccinated against flu.
"As influenza season winds down and the flu virus is no longer prevalent in New York, we are lifting the longstanding masking requirement for health care workers in hospitals, nursing homes, and adult care facilities who chose not to get their annual flu shot," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "However, as influenza continues to circulate, I recommend appropriate precautions, such as performing good hand hygiene and staying home from work or school if you are sick to prevent spreading illness."
Commissioner McDonald declared flu prevalent in New York on December 18, 2024, which required regulated facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, and adult care facilities to ensure that health care personnel who were not vaccinated against influenza wear a mask in those areas where patients and residents are likely to be present. With flu no longer prevalent in the State, the masking requirement has been lifted.
