Monticello, NY – Following a similar announcement today by Governor Kathy Hochul, Sullivan County Manager Joshua A. Potosek announced that, with certain exceptions, the mask mandate will no longer be in effect on County property as of tomorrow, Thursday, February 10.
“This is due to a rapidly declining COVID-19 infection rate and continually rising vaccination rates,” Potosek explained. “As a result, I’m lifting the mask mandate in most County facilities tomorrow. Masks can continue to voluntarily be worn by staff and the public on County property, but they will no longer be a requirement, whether they are vaccinated against coronavirus or not.”
However, current State guidelines still mandate that anyone who tests positive for COVID should immediately isolate for five (5) days, regardless of whether they are showing symptoms or not. After that five-day period has ended, they can return to public and work spaces but MUST wear a well-fitting mask for five (5) more days. Anyone who feels sick or is exhibiting symptoms should not enter a County facility.
There are several locations and situations where masks will remain a requirement of all, regardless of vaccination status:
- The Care Center at Sunset Lake in Liberty
- The County Courthouse in Monticello
- Family Court (in the annex of the Sullivan County Government Center) in Monticello
- The lobby of the Department of Family Services (the Travis Building) in Liberty
- The COVID-19 vaccination clinics conducted by Public Health Services
- Move Sullivan and Sullivan County Transportation buses, and any other County vehicles used to transport the public
- The Sullivan County Jail in Monticello
- All direct patient care staff of the Certified Home Health Agency (CHHA) at Public Health Services
Schools, nursing homes and other congregate settings remain under a State mask mandate, and businesses continue to be free to set standards stricter than those put in place by the State.
“Wearing a mask remains a recommended way to help avoid respiratory illnesses like COVID, and both employees and the general public should never be made to feel that they cannot take this preventive action on their own,” noted Potosek. “That said, I welcome this step toward a return to pre-pandemic life.”
