Application — Agudath Israel of America, et al., Applicants v. Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of New York

Supreme Court briefNov 16, 2020

Ask Donna

What actually matters in this document.

Text

App. No. 20A

In the

Supreme Court of the United States

AGUDATH ISRAEL OF AMERICA, AGUDATH ISRAEL OF KEW GARDEN

HILLS, AGUDATH ISRAEL OF MADISON, RABBI YISROEL REISMAN,

STEVEN SAPHIRSTEIN,

Applicants,

v.

ANDREW M. CUOMO, IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY

AS GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK,

Respondent.

To the Honorable Stephen Breyer Associate Justice of the Supreme Court

of the United States and Acting Circuit Justice for the Second Circuit

APPENDIX TO EMERGENCY APPLICATION

FOR WRIT OF INJUNCTION

VOLUME II (Pages App. 253 to App. 520)

Eric C. Rassbach

Daniel Blomberg

A dèle A. Keim

Joseph Davis

The Becket Fund

For Religious Liberty

1200 New Hampshire Avenue NW,

Suite 700

Washington, DC 20036

(202) 955-0095

Avi Schick

Counsel of Record

Misha Tseytlin

W. A lex Smith

Sean T.H. Dutton

Troutman Pepper Hamilton

Sanders LLP

875 Third Avenue

New York, NY 10022

(212) 704-0000

avi.schick@troutman.com

Counsel for Applicants

299998

A

(800) 274-3321 • (800) 359-6859

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Order Denying Motion for Injunction Pending Appeal, Agudath

Israel of Am. et al. v. Cuomo, No. 20-3572 (2d Cir. Nov. 9,

2020), Dkt. 97 …………………………………………………………………………... App. 1

Judge Michael H. Park, Dissenting from Order Denying Motion

for Injunction Pending Appeal, Agudath Israel of Am. et al. v.

Cuomo, No. 20-3572 (2d Cir. Nov. 9, 2020), Dkt. 98 …………………..…………. App. 6

Transcript of Hearing on Preliminary Injunction, Agudath Israel

of Am. et al. v. Cuomo, No. 1:20-cv-04834 (E.D.N.Y.

Oct. 9, 2020) ……………………………………………………………..……………. App. 10

Plaintiff’s Reply Brief in Support of Motion for Injunction, R. 13 ……………. App. 79

Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers On

State’s Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic, R. 2-4 ………………………….. App. 94

Plaintiffs’ Emergency Motion for Injunction Pending Appeal,

Dkt. 21-1 ……………………………………………………………………………… App. 106

Brief Amicus Curiae of the Muslim Public Affairs Council et al. in

Support of Plaintiffs-Appellants and Reversal, Dkt. 57 ……………………… App. 138

Affidavit of Steven Saphirstein, R. 2-19 ………………………………………… App. 167

Affidavit of Rabbi Menachem Feifer, R. 2-20 …………………………………... App. 172

Affidavit of Rabbi Yisroel Reisman, R. 2-21 ……………………………………. App. 177

Affidavit of Aharon Weisenfeld, R. 2-17 ………………………………………… App. 182

Executive Order No. 202, R. 2-10 ….……………………………………………... App. 184

Empire State Development, Guidance for Determining Whether

A Business Enterprise is Subject to A Workforce Reduction

Under Executive Order 202.68, Related to New York’s Cluster

Action Initiative to Address COVID-19 Hotspots, R. 2-13 …………………… App. 188

New York Forward, Phase One, Two, Three, and Four Industries,

R. 2-11 ………………………………………………………………………………… App. 202

N.Y. State, Dep’t of Health, Interim Guidance for Office-Based

Work During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, R. 2-15 ………….... App. 253

-i-

N.Y. State, Dep’t of Health, Interim Guidance for Essential &

Phase II Retail Business Activities During the COVID-19

Public Health Emergency, R. 2-16 ……………………………………………….. App. 266

N.Y. State, Dep’t of Health, Interim Guidance for Religious &

Funeral Services During the COVID-19 Public Health

Emergency, R. 2-12 ……………………………………………………………….... App. 292

Plaintiffs-Appellants’ Reply Brief in Support of Emergency

Motion for Injunction Pending Appeal, Dkt. 79 ………………………………... App. 303

Executive Order No. 202.68, R. 2-8 …………………………………………….... App. 322

Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor Cuomo Announces New Cluster

Action Initiative, R. 2-9 ……………………………………………………………. App. 325

N.Y. State, Dep’t of Health, Interim Guidance for In-Person

Instruction At Pre-K to Grade 12 Schools During the

COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, R. 2-14 …………………………………. App. 336

Brief Amicus Curiae of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty

and the Jewish Coalition for Religious Liberty in Support of

Plaintiffs-Appellants and Injunction Pending Appeal, Dkt. 49-2 …………… App. 374

Plaintiffs’ Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief, R. 1 …………... App. 395

Plaintiffs’ Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order and a

Preliminary Injunction, R. 2 …………………………………………………….... App. 420

Declaration of Howard A. Zucker, M.D., J.D., R. 12 …………………………... App. 425

Supplemental Declaration of Howard A. Zucker, M.D., J.D.,

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, New York v.

Cuomo, No. 1:20-cv-04844 (E.D.N.Y. Oct. 16, 2020), Dkt. 29-1 ……………… App. 449

Defendant-Appellee’s Memorandum of Law In Opposition to

Plaintiffs-Appellants’ Emergency Motion for an Injunction

Pending Appeal, Dkt. 60 …………………………………………………………… App. 457

Plaintiffs’ Letter Motion for Injunctive Relief Pending Appeal,

R. 22 …………………………………………………………………………………... App. 495

Brief Amicus Curiae of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty in

Support of the Plaintiff, Cap. Hill Baptist Church v. Bowser,

1:20-CV-02710 (D.D.C. Oct. 7, 2020), Dkt. 28 ………………………………….. App. 497

- ii -

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-15 Filed 10/08/20 Page 1 of 13 PageID #: 226

EXHIBIT L

- App. 253 -

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-15 Filed 10/08/20 Page 2 of 13 PageID #: 227

INTERIM GUIDANCE FOR OFFICE-BASED WORK

DURING THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY

When you have read this document, you can affirm at the bottom.

As of July 17, 2020

Purpose

This Interim Guidance for Office-Based Work during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (“Interim

COVID-19 Guidance for Office-Based Work”) was created to provide businesses and entities that operate

in office spaces and their employees and contractors with precautions to help protect against the spread

of COVID-19 as their businesses reopen or continue to operate.

This guidance addresses business activities where the core function takes place within an office setting.

This guidance may apply – but is not limited – to businesses and entities in the following sectors:

Professional services, nonprofit, technology, administrative support, and higher education administration

(excluding full campus reopening). Please note that these guidelines may also apply to business

operating parts of their business functions under different guidelines (e.g. front office for a construction

company). This guidance does not address medical offices, such as doctors’ offices or dentists’ offices.

This guidance also does not address building owners/managers and their employees or contractors. For

more information on building management, see, “Interim COVID-19 Guidance for Commercial Building

Management.”

These guidelines are minimum requirements only and any employer is free to provide additional

precautions or increased restrictions. These guidelines are based on the best-known public health

practices at the time of publication, and the documentation upon which these guidelines are based can

and does change frequently. The Responsible Parties – as defined below – are accountable for adhering

to all local, state and federal requirements relative to office-based work activities. The Responsible Parties

are also accountable for staying current with any updates to these requirements, as well as incorporating

same into any office-based work activities and/or Site Safety Plan.

Background

On March 7, 2020, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo issued Executive Order 202, declaring a state of

emergency in response to COVID-19. Community transmission of COVID-19 has occurred throughout

New York. To minimize further spread, social distancing of at least six feet must be maintained between

individuals, where possible.

On March 20, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.6, directing all non-essential businesses

to close in-office personnel functions. Essential businesses, as defined by Empire State Development

Corporation (ESD) guidance, were not subject to the in-person restriction, but were, however, directed to

comply with the guidance and directives for maintaining a clean and safe work environment issued by the

New York State Department of Health (DOH), and were strongly urged to maintain social distancing

measures to the extent possible.

1

- App. 254 -

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-15 Filed 10/08/20 Page 3 of 13 PageID #: 228

On April 12, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.16, directing essential businesses to

provide employees, who are present in the workplace, with a face covering, at no-cost, that must be

used when in direct contact with customers or members of the public during the course of their work.

On April 15, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.17, directing that any individual who is

over age two and able to medically tolerate a face-covering must cover their nose and mouth with a

mask or cloth face-covering when in a public place and unable to maintain, or when not maintaining,

social distance. On April 16, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.18, directing that

everyone using public or private transportation carriers or other for-hire vehicles, who is over age two

and able to medically tolerate a face covering, must wear a mask or face covering over the nose and

mouth during any such trip. It also directed any operators or drivers of public or private transport to wear

a face covering or mask which covers the nose and mouth while there are any passengers in such a

vehicle. On May 29, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.34, authorizing business

operators/owners with the discretion to deny admittance to individuals who fail to comply with the face

covering or mask requirements.

On April 26, 2020, Governor Cuomo announced a phased approach to reopen industries and businesses

in New York in phases based upon a data-driven, regional analysis. On May 4, 2020, the Governor

provided that the regional analysis would consider several public health factors, including new COVID-19

infections, as well as health care system, diagnostic testing, and contact tracing capacity. On May 11,

2020, Governor Cuomo announced that the first phase of reopening would begin on May 15, 2020 in

several regions of New York, based upon available regional metrics and indicators. On May 29, 2020,

Governor Cuomo announced that the second phase of reopening would begin in several regions of the

state, and announced the use of a new early warning dashboard that aggregates the state's expansive

data collection efforts for New Yorkers, government officials, and experts to monitor and review how the

virus is being contained to ensure a safe reopening.

In addition to the following standards, both essential and non-essential businesses must continue to

comply with the guidance and directives for maintaining clean and safe work environments issued by

DOH.

Please note that where guidance in this document differs from other guidance documents issued by New

York State, the more recent guidance shall apply.

Standards for Responsible Office-Based Work Activities in New York State

No office-based work activities can operate without meeting the following minimum State standards, as

well as applicable federal requirements, including but not limited to such minimum standards of the

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Environmental

Protection Agency (EPA), and United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health

Administration (OSHA). The State standards apply to all office-based work activities (essential and nonessential) in operation during the COVID-19 public health emergency until rescinded or amended by the

State.

The State standards contained within this guidance apply to all office-based work activity – both essential

and non-essential – in operation during the COVID-19 public health emergency until rescinded or

amended by the State. The owner/operator of the business with office-based functions, or another party

as may be designated by the owner/operator (in either case, "the Responsible Parties"), shall be

responsible for meeting these standards. The designated party can be an individual or group of

individuals responsible for the operations of individual office locations/spaces. The building owner, or

their designee, shall be primarily responsible for meeting standards with respect to any unleased or

common areas, and the tenant, if not the owner, shall be primarily responsible for meeting these

standards with respect to their leased space(s), unless the tenant and building owner reach an alternate

2

- App. 255 -

2

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-15 Filed 10/08/20 Page 4 of 13 PageID #: 229

agreement in regard to such responsibilities (e.g. joint screening protocol). Note that the following

guidance specifically addresses tenants occupying office space and their employees, contractors, and

visitors. Responsible Parties for the entities occupying office spaces should coordinate with building

owners/managers, where applicable, on the implementation of practices in accordance with this

guidance.

Note that, except where noted otherwise, references made to “employees” are to the office-based

businesses/tenants and their employees and/or contractors. Responsible Parties should coordinate with

building managers, where applicable, on the implementation of practices in accordance with this

guidance. For more information on building managers and their employees, see “Interim COVID-19

Guidance for Commercial Building Management.”

The following guidance is organized around three distinct categories: people, places, and processes.

I. PEOPLE

A. Physical Distancing

•

Where office-based work is located in a region that is in Phases II, III, or IV, the total number of

occupants is limited to no more than 50% of the maximum occupancy at any given time for a

particular area as set by the certificate of occupancy. Where applicable, Responsible Parties should

work with building owners/managers to maintain capacity limits; and

•

Responsible Parties must ensure that a distance of at least six feet is maintained among individuals at

all times, unless safety of the core activity requires a shorter distance. Any time individuals must

come within six feet of another person, acceptable face coverings must be worn. Individuals must be

prepared to don a face covering if another person unexpectedly comes within six feet.

•

o

Acceptable face coverings for COVID-19 include but are not limited to cloth-based face coverings

and disposable masks that cover both the mouth and nose.

o

However, cloth, disposable, or other homemade face coverings are not acceptable face coverings

for workplace activities that typically require a higher degree of protection for personal protective

equipment (PPE) due to the nature of the work. For those activities, N95 respirators or other PPE

used under existing industry standards should continue to be used, as is defined in accordance

with OSHA guidelines.

o

Responsible Parties should consider closing any common indoor or outdoor seating areas (e.g.

reception areas) within their office space. To the extent that such spaces remain open,

Responsible Parties must modify seating areas arrangements (e.g. chairs, tables) to ensure that

individuals are at least six feet apart in all directions (e.g. side-to-side and when facing one

another).

Responsible Parties may modify or reconfigure the use and/or restrict the number of workstations,

employee seating areas, and desks, so that employees are at least six feet apart in all directions (e.g.

side-to-side and when facing one another) and are not sharing workstations without cleaning and

disinfection between use. When distancing is not feasible between workstations, Responsible Parties

must provide and require the use of face coverings or physical barriers (e.g. plastic shielding walls, in

lieu of face coverings in areas where they would not affect air flow, heating, cooling or ventilation).

o

Physical barriers should be put in place in accordance with OSHA guidelines.

o

Physical barrier options may include: strip curtains, cubicle walls, plexiglass or similar materials,

or other impermeable dividers or partitions.

3

- App. 256 -

3

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-15 Filed 10/08/20 Page 5 of 13 PageID #: 230

•

Responsible Parties should consider implementing strict clean-desk policies, so that non-essential

items are stored in enclosed cabinets or drawers, rather than on desks.

•

Responsible Parties should limit the use of shared workstations (e.g. “hot-desks”), to the extent

practicable. To the extent that such workstations remain in use, they must be cleaned and disinfected

between users.

•

Responsible Parties should prohibit the use of small spaces (e.g. elevators, supply rooms, personal

offices, vehicles) by more than one individual at a time, unless all individuals in such space at the

same time are wearing acceptable face coverings. However, even when face coverings in use,

occupancy must never exceed 50% of the maximum capacity of the space or vehicle, unless it is

designed for use by a single occupant. Responsible Parties should increase ventilation with outdoor

air to the greatest extent possible (e.g., opening windows and doors in individual office rooms), while

maintaining safety protocols. Responsible Parties should take additional measures to prevent

congregation in elevator waiting areas and limit density in elevators, by enabling the use of stairs.

•

o

Responsible Parties may leverage technology, such as room sensors and real-time dashboards, to

quantify and display utilization of spaces throughout the office.

o

Responsible Parties must restrict access to areas that have reached maximum capacity under

distancing guidelines.

Responsible Parties should put in place measures to reduce bi-directional foot traffic using tape or

signs with arrows in narrow aisles, hallways, or spaces, and post signage and distance markers

denoting spaces of six feet in all commonly used areas and any areas in which lines are commonly

formed or people may congregate (e.g. copy rooms, kitchens, reception desks, health screening

stations).

o

•

Responsible Parties should mark six feet distance circles around workstations and other common

stationary work areas.

Responsible Parties must post signs throughout the office, consistent with DOH COVID-19 signage.

Responsible Parties can develop their own customized signage specific to their workplace or setting,

provided that such signage is consistent with the Department’s signage. Signage should be used to

remind individuals to:

o

Cover their nose and mouth with a face covering when six feet of social distance cannot be

maintained.

o

Properly store and, when necessary, discard PPE.

o

Adhere to physical distancing instructions.

o

Report symptoms of or exposure to COVID-19, and how they should do so.

o

Follow hand hygiene and cleaning and disinfection guidelines.

o

Follow appropriate respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette.

B. Gatherings in Enclosed Spaces

•

Responsible Parties should encourage the use of video or teleconferencing for their employee

meetings whenever possible to reduce the density of in-person gatherings, per CDC guidance

“Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019

(COVID-19)”. Responsible Parties should hold in-person meetings in open, well-ventilated spaces and

ensure that individuals maintain six feet of social distance between one another (e.g. if there are

chairs, leave space between chairs, have employees sit in alternating chairs) or wear appropriate face

4

- App. 257 -

4

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-15 Filed 10/08/20 Page 6 of 13 PageID #: 231

coverings. Responsible Parties may consider implementing the following practices to remind

participants of appropriate social distancing measures when meetings are held:

o

Mark tables in meeting rooms with appropriate distance markers.

•

Responsible Parties should encourage social distancing by limiting occupancy or closing non-essential

amenities and communal areas that do not allow for social distancing protocols. If open, Responsible

Parties must make hand sanitizer or disinfecting wipes available next to equipment near such

amenities (e.g. vending machines, communal coffee stations).

•

Responsible Parties must put in place practices for adequate social distancing in small areas, such as

restrooms and breakrooms, and should develop signage and systems (e.g. flagging when occupied)

to restrict occupancy when social distancing cannot be maintained in such areas.

•

Responsible Parties should stagger schedules for employees to observe social distancing for any

gathering (e.g. coffee breaks, meals, and shift starts/stops).

•

If required, employees that don’t need to be in the office may be allowed to collect documents from

their place of work on a case-by-case basis, but such collection should occur minimally, not with

frequency.

•

Non-essential common areas (e.g. gyms, pools, game rooms) must remain closed.

C. Workplace Activity

•

Responsible Parties must take measures to reduce interpersonal contact and congregation, through

methods such as:

o

adjusting workplace hours;

o

reducing in-office workforce to accommodate social distancing guidelines;

o

shifting design (e.g. A/B teams, staggered arrival/departure times to reduce congestion in lobbies

and elevators); and/or

o

avoiding multiple teams working in one area by staggering scheduled tasks and using signs to

indicate occupied areas.

•

Responsible Parties should create polices which encourage employees to work from home when

feasible. Responsible Parties may choose to develop return-to-office tiers or waves for employees

based on factors such as function, safe transportation, and ability to work remotely, as noted in

Section II “People,” Subsection C “Phased Reopening.”

•

Responsible Parties may choose to implement best practices for employees to successfully work from

home, such as:

o

Conducting regular surveys of employees to determine what practices are working and what can

be improved;

o

Providing tips and tricks for employees to enhance remote work sustainability;

o

Allowing for employees to set morning and evening boundaries and taking regular breaks

throughout the day;

o

Informing employees of the resources they have readily available.

D. Movement and Commerce

•

Responsible Parties should consider limiting all non-essential travel.

5

- App. 258 -

5

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-15 Filed 10/08/20 Page 7 of 13 PageID #: 232

•

Responsible Parties must establish designated areas for pickups and deliveries, limiting contact to the

extent possible.

•

Responsible Parties should limit on-site interactions (e.g. designate an egress for employees leaving

their shifts and a separate ingress for employees starting their shifts) and movements (e.g.

employees should remain near their workstations as often as possible).

II. PLACES

A. Protective Equipment

•

In addition to the necessary PPE as required for certain workplace activities, Responsible Parties must

procure, fashion, or otherwise obtain acceptable face coverings and provide such coverings to their

employees while at work at no cost to the employee. Responsible Parties should have an adequate

supply of face coverings, masks and other required PPE on hand should an employee need a

replacement, or should a visitor be in need. Acceptable face coverings include, but are not limited to,

cloth (e.g. homemade sewn, quick cut, bandana), surgical masks, and face shields.

•

Face coverings must be cleaned or replaced after use and may not be shared. Please consult CDC

guidance for additional information on cloth face coverings and other types of PPE, as well as

instructions on use and cleaning.

o

Note that cloth face coverings or disposable masks shall not be considered acceptable face

coverings for workplace activities that require a higher degree of protection for face covering

requirements. For example, if N95 respirators are traditionally required for specific activities, a

cloth or homemade mask would not suffice. Responsible Parties must adhere to OSHA standards

for such safety equipment.

•

Responsible Parties must allow employees to use their own acceptable face coverings but cannot

require employees to supply their own face coverings. Further, this guidance shall not prevent

employees from wearing their personally owned additional protective coverings (e.g. surgical masks,

N95 respirators, or face shields), or if the Responsible Parties otherwise requires employees to wear

more protective PPE due to the nature of their work. Employers should comply with all applicable

OSHA standards.

•

Responsible Parties must train employees on how to adequately put on, take off, clean (as

applicable), and discard PPE, including but not limited to, appropriate face coverings. Such training

should be extended to contractors if the Responsible Parties will be supplying the contractors with

PPE.

•

Responsible Parties must advise employees and visitors to wear face coverings in common areas

including elevators, lobbies, and when traveling around the office.

•

Responsible Parties must put in place measures to limit the sharing of objects, such as laptops,

notebooks, touchscreens, and writing utensils, as well as the touching of shared surfaces, such as

conference tables; or, require employees to perform hand hygiene before and after contact.

B. Hygiene, Cleaning, and Disinfection

•

Responsible Parties must ensure adherence to hygiene and cleaning and disinfection requirements as

advised by the CDC and DOH, including “Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfection of Public and Private

6

- App. 259 -

6

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-15 Filed 10/08/20 Page 8 of 13 PageID #: 233

Facilities for COVID-19,” and the “STOP THE SPREAD” poster, as applicable. Responsible Parties must

maintain logs that include the date, time, and scope of cleaning and disinfection.

•

Responsible Parties must provide and maintain hand hygiene stations on in the office, as follows:

o

For handwashing: soap, running warm water, and disposable paper towels.

o

For hand sanitizing: an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol for areas

where handwashing facilities may not be available or practical.

o

Make hand sanitizer available throughout common areas in the office. It should be placed in

convenient locations, such as at entrances, exits, and reception desks. Touch-free hand sanitizer

dispensers should be installed where possible.

•

Responsible Parties should place signage near hand sanitizer stations indicating that visibly soiled

hands should be washed with soap and water; hand sanitizer is not effective on visibly soiled hands.

•

Responsible Parties should place receptacles around the building for disposal of soiled items,

including PPE.

•

Responsible Parties must provide appropriate cleaning and disinfection supplies for shared and

frequently touched surfaces and encourage their employees (or cleaning staffs) to use these supplies,

following manufacturer’s instructions, before and after use of these surfaces, followed by hand

hygiene.

o

•

To reduce high-touch surfaces, Responsible Parties should install touch-free amenities such as

water fountains, trash-cans, and hand-dryers.

Responsible Parties must conduct regular cleaning and disinfection of the building and more frequent

cleaning and disinfection for high risk areas used by many individuals and for frequently touched

surfaces. Cleaning and disinfection must be rigorous and ongoing and should occur at least after

each shift, daily, or more frequently as needed. Please refer to DOH’s “Interim Guidance for Cleaning

and Disinfection of Public and Private Facilities for COVID-19” for detailed instructions on how to

clean and disinfect facilities.

o

Responsible Parties must ensure regular cleaning and disinfection of restrooms. Restrooms

should be cleaned and disinfected more often depending on frequency of use.

▪

Responsible Parties must ensure distancing rules are adhered to by using signage, occupied

markers, or other methods to reduce restroom capacity where feasible.

o

Responsible Parties must ensure that materials and tools are regularly cleaned and disinfected

using registered disinfectants, including at least as often as employees or visitors change

workstations or move to a new set of materials. Refer to the Department of Environmental

Conservation (DEC) list of products registered in New York State and identified by the EPA as

effective against COVID-19.

o

If cleaning or disinfection products or the act of cleaning and disinfection causes safety hazards

or degrades the material or machinery, Responsible Parties must put in place hand hygiene

stations between use and/or supply disposable gloves and/or limitations on the number of

employees using such machinery.

o

Responsible Parties must provide for the cleaning and disinfection of exposed areas in the event

an individual is confirmed to have COVID-19, with such cleaning and disinfection to include, at a

minimum, all heavy transit areas and high-touch surfaces (e.g. touchscreens, printers, keypads,

telephones, hand rails, door handles, vending machines, communal coffee stations).

7

- App. 260 -

7

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-15 Filed 10/08/20 Page 9 of 13 PageID #: 234

•

CDC guidelines on “Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility” if someone is suspected or confirmed to

have COVID-19 are as follows:

o

▪

Responsible Parties do not necessarily need to close operations, if they can close off the

affected areas.

▪

Shared building spaces used by the person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 (e.g.

elevators, lobbies, building entrances) must also be shut down and cleaned and disinfected in

coordination with the building manager (For more information, see, "Interim COVID-19

Guidance for Commercial Building Management”).

o

Open outside doors and windows to increase air circulation in the area.

o

Wait 24 hours before you clean or and disinfect. If 24 hours is not feasible, wait as long as

possible.

o

Clean and disinfect all areas used by the person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, such

as offices, bathrooms, common areas, and shared equipment.

o

Once the area has been appropriately cleaned and disinfected, it can be reopened for use.

o

•

Close off areas used by the person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19.

▪

Employees without close or proximate contact with the person suspected or confirmed to

have COVID-19 can return to the work area immediately after cleaning and disinfection.

▪

Refer to DOH’s “Interim Guidance for Public and Private Employees Returning to Work

Following COVID-19 Infection or Exposure“ for information on “close or proximate” contacts.

If more than seven days have passed since the person who is suspected or confirmed to have

COVID-19 visited or used the facility, additional cleaning and disinfection is not necessary, but

routine cleaning and disinfection should continue.

Responsible Parties must prohibit shared food and beverages among employees (e.g. self-serve

meals and beverages), encourage employees to bring lunch from home, and reserve adequate space

for employees to observe social distancing while eating meals.

C. Phased Reopening

•

Responsible Parties are encouraged to phase-in reopening activities so as to allow for operational

issues to be resolved before production or work activities return to normal levels. Responsible Parties

should consider limiting the number of employees, hours, and number of customers available to be

served when first reopening so as to provide operations with the ability to adjust to the changes.

D. Communications Plan

•

Responsible Parties must affirm that they have reviewed and understand the state-issued industry

guidelines, and that they will implement them.

•

Responsible Parties should develop a communications plan for employees and visitors, and customers

that includes applicable instructions, training, signage, and a consistent means to provide employees

with information. Responsible Parties should work with building management to help facilitate any

building-wide communications. Responsible Parties may consider developing webpages, text and

email groups, and social media.

8

- App. 261 -

8

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-15 Filed 10/08/20 Page 10 of 13 PageID #: 235

•

Responsible Parties should encourage customers to adhere to CDC and DOH guidance regarding the

use of PPE, specifically face coverings when a social distance of six feet cannot be maintained,

through verbal communication and signage.

•

Responsible Parties should post signage inside and outside of the retail location to remind personnel

and customers to adhere to proper hygiene, social distancing rules, appropriate use of PPE, and

cleaning and disinfection protocols.

•

Responsible Parties should provide building managers/owners a list of essential visitors expected to

enter the building.

III. PROCESSES

A. Screening and Testing

•

Responsible Parties must implement mandatory daily health screening practices of their employees

and, where practicable, visitors, but such screening shall not be mandated for delivery personnel.

o

Screening practices may be performed remotely (e.g. by telephone or electronic survey), before

the employee or visitor reports to the office, to the extent possible; or may be performed on site.

o

Screening should be coordinated to prevent employees or visitors from intermingling in close or

proximate contact with each other prior to completion of the screening.

o

At a minimum, screening must be required for all employees or visitors and completed using a

questionnaire that determines whether the employee or visitor has:

(a) knowingly been in close or proximate contact in the past 14 days with anyone who has

tested positive for COVID-19 or who has or had symptoms of COVID-19;

(b) tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days; and/or

(c) has experienced any symptoms of COVID-19 in the past 14 days.

•

•

Responsible Parties should coordinate with building managers to facilitate screening. Responsible

Parties are responsible for screening their own employees and visitors, unless Responsible Parties

and building management have agreed to an alternate arrangement to ensure screening is in effect.

Screening best practices include:

o

If space and building configuration allows, screen individuals at or near the building entrance to

minimize the impact in case of an individual suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19;

o

Allow for adequate social distancing while individuals queue for screening and/or building entry;

o

Coordinate with building managers to identify individuals who have completed a remote

screening;

o

Use contactless thermal cameras in building entrances, in coordination with building

management, to identify potentially symptomatic visitors and direct them to a secondary

screening area to complete a follow-on screening.

Refer to CDC guidance on “Symptoms of Coronavirus” for the most up to date information on

symptoms associated with COVID-19.

9

- App. 262 -

9

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-15 Filed 10/08/20 Page 11 of 13 PageID #: 236

•

Responsible Parties must require employees to immediately disclose if and when their responses to

any of the aforementioned questions changes, such as if they begin to experience symptoms,

including during or outside of work hours.

•

In addition to the screening questionnaire, temperature checks may also be conducted per U.S. Equal

Employment Opportunity Commission or DOH guidelines. Responsible Parties are prohibited from

keeping records of employee health data (e.g. the specific temperature data of an individual), but are

permitted to maintain records that confirm individuals were screened and the result of such screening

(e.g. pass/fail, cleared/not cleared).

•

Responsible Parties must ensure that any personnel performing screening activities, including

temperature checks, are appropriately protected from exposure to potentially infectious employees or

visitors entering the office. Personnel performing screening activities should be trained by employeridentified individuals who are familiar with CDC, DOH, and OSHA protocols.

•

Screeners should be provided and use PPE, including at a minimum, a face mask, and may include

gloves, a gown, and/or a face shield.

•

An individual who screens positive for COVID-19 symptoms must not be allowed to enter the office

and must be sent home with instructions to contact their healthcare provider for assessment and

testing.

o

Responsible Parties should remotely provide such individuals with information on healthcare and

testing resources.

o

Responsible Parties must immediately notify the state and local health department about the case

if test results are positive for COVID-19.

•

Responsible Parties should refer to DOH’s “Interim Guidance for Public and Private Employees

Returning to Work Following COVID-19 Infection or Exposure” regarding protocols and policies for

employees seeking to return to work after a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 or after the

employee had close or proximate contact with a person with COVID-19.

•

Responsible Parties must designate a central point of contact, which may vary by activity, location,

shift or day, responsible for receiving and attesting to having reviewed all employees’ questionnaires,

with such contact also identified as the party for employees and visitors to inform if they later are

experiencing COVID-19-related symptoms, as noted on the questionnaire.

o

If Responsible Parties and building management have agreed to an alternate screening

arrangement whereby building management administers screening on behalf of tenants, then

building management shall be responsible for maintaining a record of the screening process.

Maintaining records of employee health data (e.g. the specific temperature data of an individual)

is prohibited; the only records to be maintained on a daily basis regarding the screening process

are those individuals who were screened and confirmation that no employee or visitor who failed

the screening process was granted access.

•

Responsible Parties must designate a site safety monitor whose responsibilities include continuous

compliance with all aspects of the site safety plan.

•

To the extent possible, Responsible Parties should maintain a log of every person, including

employees and visitors, who may have close or proximate contact with other individuals at the

worksite or area; excluding deliveries that are performed with appropriate PPE or through contactless

means. The log should contain contact information, such that all contacts may be identified, traced

10

- App. 263 -

10

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-15 Filed 10/08/20 Page 12 of 13 PageID #: 237

and notified in the event an employee is diagnosed with COVID-19. Responsible Parties must

cooperate with state and local health department contact tracing efforts.

B. Tracing and Tracking

•

Responsible Parties must notify the state and local health department immediately upon being

informed of any positive COVID-19 test result by an employee in their office.

•

In the case of an employee or visitor testing positive, the Responsible Parties must cooperate with

the state and local health department as required to trace all contacts in the workplace, and the state

and local health department where the building is located must be notified of all individuals who

entered the site dating back 48 hours before the employee or visitor first experienced COVID-19

symptoms or tested positive, whichever is earlier. Confidentiality must be maintained as required by

federal and state law and regulations.

o

As a best practice, Responsible Parties may offer optional tracing and tracking technology (e.g.

Bluetooth enabled mobile applications) to streamline contact tracing and communication process

among their workforce and others.

•

Responsible Parties must ensure that in the case of an employee showing symptoms while in the

workplace, the building managers are immediately notified with information on where the individual

has been throughout the building and notify building management if the symptomatic employee tests

positive.

•

State and local health departments will implement monitoring and movement restrictions of infected

or exposed persons including home isolation or quarantine.

•

Individuals who are alerted that they have come into close or proximate contact with a person with

COVID-19, and have been alerted via tracing, tracking or other mechanism, are required to selfreport to their employer at the time of alert and shall follow the protocol referenced above.

IV. EMPLOYER PLANS

Responsible Parties must conspicuously post completed safety plans on site. The State has made

available a business reopening safety plan template to guide business owners and operators in

developing plans to protect against the spread of COVID-19.

Additional safety information, guidelines, and resources are available at:

New York State Department of Health Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Website

https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Coronavirus (COVID-19) Website

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Occupational Safety and Health Administration COVID-19 Website

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/

11

- App. 264 -

11

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-15 Filed 10/08/20 Page 13 of 13 PageID #: 238

At the link below, affirm that you have read and understand your obligation to

operate in accordance with this guidance:

https://forms.ny.gov/s3/ny-forward-affirmation

12

- App. 265 -

12

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-16 Filed 10/08/20 Page 1 of 26 PageID #: 239

EXHIBIT M

- App. 266 -

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-16 Filed 10/08/20 Page 2 of 26 PageID #: 240

INTERIM GUIDANCE FOR ESSENTIAL & PHASE II RETAIL

BUSINESS ACTIVITIES DURING THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH

EMERGENCY

When you have read this document, you can affirm at the bottom.

As of July 1, 2020

Purpose

This Interim Guidance for Essential and Phase II Retail Business Activities during the COVID-19 Public

Health Emergency (“Interim COVID-19 Guidance for Essential and Phase II Retail Business Activities”)

was created to provide owners/operators of essential and Phase II retail businesses selling goods and

their employees and contractors with precautions to help protect against the spread of COVID-19 as they

continue to operate or reopen.

This guidance applies to all in-store essential retail business activities throughout the state. This

guidance also applies to all in-store non-essential retail business activities in regions of the state that are

in Phase II or later of reopening. This guidance does not apply to restaurants or other food services,

retailers of rental goods, or personal care services, such as hair salons, nail salons, spas, tattoo parlors,

laser hair removal, or electrolysis.

Essential businesses, as defined by Empire State Development (ESD) pursuant to Executive Order 202.6,

are entities that regardless of the nature of the service that they provide, the function that they perform,

or their corporate or entity structure, are not subject to in-person workforce reductions during the

COVID-19 public health emergency. Essential retail businesses include but are not limited to grocery

stores, including all food and beverage stores; pharmacies; convenience stores; farmer’s markets; gas

stations; and hardware, appliance, and building material stores. Please consult the ESD essential business

guidance for further information.

In regions of the state that are in Phase I of reopening, non-essential retail businesses are only allowed

to operate via curbside and in-store pickup. For information on how to safely conduct these services,

refer to the New York State Department of Health (DOH) “Interim COVID-19 Guidance for Curbside and

In-Store Pickup Retail Business Activities.” This previously issued guidance pertains to curbside and instore pickup as defined as a customer placing an order for specific item(s) by phone or internet, then

collecting such order at or near the retail location. Customers are only allowed on the premise to retrieve

their order; not to browse or place an in-person order.

In regions of the state that are not yet in Phase I of reopening, non-essential retail businesses are only

allowed to operate via delivery of orders paced remotely via phone or online with only one employee

physical present at the business location.

These guidelines are minimum requirements only and any employer is free to provide additional

precautions or increased restrictions. These guidelines are based on the best-known public health

practices at the time of issuance, and the documentation upon which these guidelines are based can and

does change frequently. The Responsible Parties – as defined below – are accountable for adhering to all

local, state and federal requirements relative to retail business activities. The Responsible Parties are also

accountable for staying current with any updates to these requirements, as well as incorporating same

into any retail business activities and/or Site Safety Plan.

1

- App. 267 -

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-16 Filed 10/08/20 Page 3 of 26 PageID #: 241

Background

On March 7, 2020, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo issued Executive Order 202, declaring a state of

emergency in response to COVID-19. Community transmission of COVID-19 has occurred throughout

New York. To minimize further spread, social distancing of at least six feet must be maintained between

individuals, where possible.

On March 20, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.6, directing all non-essential businesses

to close in-office personnel functions. Essential businesses, as defined by Empire State Development

Corporation (ESD) guidance, were not subject to the in-person restriction, but were, however, directed to

comply with the guidance and directives for maintaining a clean and safe work environment issued by

DOH, and were strongly urged to maintain social distancing measures to the extent possible.

On April 12, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.16, directing essential businesses to

provide employees, who are present in the workplace, with a face covering, at no-cost, that must be

used when in direct contact with customers or members of the public during the course of their work.

On April 15, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.17, directing that any individual who is

over age two and able to medically tolerate a face-covering must cover their nose and mouth with a

mask or cloth face-covering when in a public place and unable to maintain, or when not maintaining,

social distance. On April 16, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.18, directing that

everyone using public or private transportation carriers or other for-hire vehicles, who is over age two

and able to medically tolerate a face covering, must wear a mask or cloth face covering over the nose

and mouth during any such trip. It also directed any operators or drivers of public or private transport to

wear a mask or cloth face covering which covers the nose and mouth while there are any passengers in

such a vehicle. On May 29, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.34, authorizing business

operators/owners with the discretion to deny admittance to individuals who fail to comply with the face

covering or mask requirements.

On April 26, 2020, Governor Cuomo announced a phased approach to reopen industries and businesses

in New York in phases based upon a data-driven, regional analysis. On May 4, 2020, the

Governor provided that the regional analysis would consider several public health factors, including new

COVID-19 infections, as well as health care system, diagnostic testing, and contact tracing capacity. On

May 11, 2020, Governor Cuomo announced that the first phase of reopening would begin on May 15,

2020 in several regions of New York, based upon available regional metrics and indicators. On May 29,

2020, Governor Cuomo announced that the second phase of reopening would begin in several regions of

the state, and announced the use of a new early warning dashboard that aggregates the state's

expansive data collection efforts for New Yorkers, government officials, and experts to monitor and

review how the virus is being contained to ensure a safe reopening.

In addition to the following standards, both essential and non-essential businesses must continue to

comply with the guidance and directives for maintaining clean and safe work environments issued by

DOH.

Please note that where guidance in this document differs from other guidance documents issued by New

York State, the more recent guidance shall apply.

Standards for Responsible Essential and Phase II Retail Activities in New York State

No essential and Phase II retail activity can occur without meeting the following minimum State

standards, as well as applicable federal requirements, including but not limited to such minimum

standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),

2

2

- App. 268 -

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-16 Filed 10/08/20 Page 4 of 26 PageID #: 242

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety

and Health Administration (OSHA).

The State standards contained within this guidance apply to all essential and Phase II retail activities in

operation during the COVID-19 public health emergency until rescinded or amended by the State. The

proprietor/operator of the retail business, or another party as may be designated by the

proprietor/operator (in either case, "the Responsible Parties"), shall be responsible for meeting these

standards.

The following guidance is organized around three distinct categories: people, places, and processes.

I. PEOPLE

A. Physical Distancing

•

Responsible Parties must ensure that for any essential and Phase II retail activity, the workforce and

customer presence is limited to no more than 50% of the maximum occupancy for a particular area

as set by the certificate of occupancy, inclusive of customers, who must maintain six feet of

separation from others and, in all cases, must only be permitted entry into the essential and Phase II

retail store if they wear an acceptable face covering; provided, however, that the customer is over

the age of two and able to medically tolerate such covering; and

•

Responsible Parties must ensure a distance of at least six feet is maintained among employees and

customers at all times, unless the safety of the core activity requires a shorter distance (e.g.

operating cash registers, moving and lifting merchandise). Employees must wear acceptable face

coverings any time they interact with customers (e.g. ringing up a purchase, wrapping an item to

hand off) and any time employees are within six feet of another person. Employees must be

prepared to don a face covering if another person unexpectedly comes within six feet.

•

•

o

Acceptable face coverings for COVID-19 include but are not limited to cloth-based face coverings

and disposable masks that cover both the mouth and nose.

o

However, cloth, disposable, or other homemade face coverings are not acceptable face coverings

for workplace activities that typically require a higher degree of protection for personal protective

equipment (PPE) due to the nature of the work. For those activities, N95 respirators or other PPE

used under existing industry standards should continue to be used, as is defined in accordance

with OSHA guidelines.

Responsible Parties may modify the use and/or restrict the number of work spaces and employee

seating areas, so that employees are at least six feet apart in all directions (e.g. side-to-side and

when facing one another) and are not sharing work stations or spaces without cleaning and

disinfection between use. When distancing is not feasible between work stations or spaces,

Responsible Parties must provide and require the use of face coverings or physical barriers such as

plastic shielding walls, in lieu of face coverings in areas where they would not affect air flow, heating,

cooling, or ventilation.

o

If used, physical barriers should be put in place in accordance with OSHA guidelines.

o

Physical barrier options may include: strip curtains, plexiglass or similar materials, or other

impermeable dividers or partitions.

Responsible Parties are encouraged to modify retail layouts so that employees and customers are at

least six feet apart in all directions when employees are working and customers are browsing, unless

physical barriers are in place (e.g. Plexiglass or partitions at cash registers).

3

3

- App. 269 -

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-16 Filed 10/08/20 Page 5 of 26 PageID #: 243

o

Responsible Parties must require that employees use masks or cloth face coverings when

interacting with customers. Responsible Parties shall not permit customers into the store without

a face covering, if medically able to tolerate one, and are over age two.

o

If entry is denied, Responsible Parties should seek to provide alternate methods of pickup and/or

delivery for customers, particularly to ensure access to essential goods, including but not limited

to food, medication, and medical equipment or supplies.

o

Responsible Parties must reserve adequate space for employees and customers to work and

shop, considering appropriate social distancing; Responsible Parties should consider creating oneway aisles, otherwise rearranging traffic flow, or using alternating cash registers.

•

Responsible Parties must prohibit the use of small spaces (e.g. behind cash registers, elevators, stock

rooms) by more than one individual at a time, unless all individuals in such spaces at the same time

are wearing acceptable face coverings. However, occupancy must never exceed 50% of the

maximum capacity of the space, unless it is designed for use by a single occupant. Responsible

Parties should increase ventilation with outdoor air to the greatest extent possible (e.g. opening

windows, leaving doors open), while maintaining safety protocols.

•

Responsible Parties should encourage the use of touchless payment options or pay ahead, when

available. Minimize handling cash, credit cards, reward cards, and mobile devices, where possible.

•

Responsible Parties should put in place measures to reduce bi-directional foot traffic of customers

browsing using tape or signs with arrows in narrow aisles, hallways, or spaces, and post signage and

distance markers denoting spaces of six feet in all commonly used areas and any areas in which lines

are commonly formed or people may congregate (e.g., clock in/out stations, health screening

stations, break rooms, cash register areas).

o

Where possible, place markers or barriers to encourage one directional traffic.

•

Responsible Parties must post signage and distance markers denoting spaces of six feet in all

commonly used areas and any areas in which lines are commonly formed or people may congregate

(e.g. clock in/out stations, health screening stations, break rooms, cash register areas, near

merchandise, in aisles etc.).

•

Responsible Parties should strive to minimize the touch points on retail products, by:

o

o

•

suspending the use of bulk-bins and dump bins; and

encouraging customers to touch only products they will be buying (i.e., avoid putting items back

on shelves).

Responsible Parties must post signs inside and outside of the retail location, consistent with DOH

COVID-19 signage. Responsible Parties can develop their own customized signage specific to their

workplace or setting, provided that such signage is consistent with the Department’s signage.

Signage should be used to remind employees and customers to:

o

Cover their nose and mouth with a face covering when six feet of social distance cannot be

maintained.

o

Properly store and, when necessary, discard PPE.

o

Adhere to physical distancing instructions.

o

Report symptoms of or exposure to COVID-19, and how they should do so.

o

Follow hand hygiene and cleaning and disinfection guidelines.

o

Follow appropriate respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette.

4

4

- App. 270 -

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-16 Filed 10/08/20 Page 6 of 26 PageID #: 244

B. Gatherings in Enclosed Spaces

•

Responsible Parties must limit in-person employee gatherings (e.g. employee meetings, break rooms,

stock rooms) to the greatest extent possible and use other methods such as video or

teleconferencing whenever possible, per CDC guidance “Interim Guidance for Businesses and

Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)”. When videoconferencing

or teleconferencing is not possible, Responsible Parties should hold meetings in open, well-ventilated

spaces and ensure that individuals maintain six feet of social distance between one another (e.g. if

there are chairs, leave space between chairs, have employees sit in alternating chairs).

•

Responsible Parties must put in place practices for adequate social distancing in small areas, such as

restrooms and breakrooms, and should develop signage and systems (e.g. flagging when occupied)

to restrict occupancy when social distancing cannot be maintained in such areas; and

•

Responsible Parties should stagger schedules for employees to observe social distancing (i.e., six feet

of space) for any gathering (e.g. while taking breaks).

C. Workplace Activity

•

•

Responsible Parties must take measures to reduce interpersonal contact and congregation, through

methods such as:

o

limiting in-person presence to only those staff who are necessary to be at the workplace;

o

adjusting workplace hours;

o

reducing on-site workforce to accommodate social distancing guidelines;

o

shifting design (e.g. A/B teams, staggered arrival/departure times);

o

batching activities, where possible, so employees can adhere to social distancing and reduce the

number of hands touching products at the same time (e.g. one employee does all packing and a

separate employee fulfills the delivery); and/or

o

encouraging, but not requiring, customers to bag their own purchases.

Responsible Parties should adjust retail hours as necessary to enable enhanced cleaning and

disinfection procedures.

D. Movement and Commerce

•

Responsible Parties must monitor and control the flow of traffic into the establishment to ensure

adherence to maximum capacity requirements.

•

Responsible Parties must establish designated areas for deliveries, limiting contact to the extent

possible.

•

Responsible Parties should provide clearly designated, separate entrances and exits, where possible.

o

•

Responsible Parties must be prepared to queue customers outside while still maintaining physical

distance including through the use of visual cues or markers.

For merchandise deliveries, Responsible Parties should implement a touchless delivery system

whereby drivers stay in the cab of the vehicle while delivery takes place or, where not practicable,

Responsible Parties must provide acceptable PPE appropriate to the anticipated activities that

5

5

- App. 271 -

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-16 Filed 10/08/20 Page 7 of 26 PageID #: 245

includes, at a minimum, a face covering to personnel involved in the delivery at no cost for the

duration of the delivery process.

•

Responsible Parties must sanitize hands before and after transferring a load (e.g. from a delivery

driver) of merchandise (e.g. sanitize hands before starting to load items; and once all items have

been loaded, finish by sanitizing their hands again).

•

In addition to utilizing curbside and in-store pick up to the extent possible, Responsible Parties should

provide remote shopping alternatives for customers, including click-and-collect, delivery, pick-up, and

shop-by-phone to limit customers in the establishment.

•

Responsible Parties must ensure that fitting rooms are equipped with appropriate cleaning and

hygiene supplies for employee and customer use, including hand sanitizer; and strongly encouraged

to clean and disinfect fitting rooms after each customer’s use.

•

Responsible Parties must close amenities, where applicable, including:

o

o

o

•

self-serve bars and samplers;

water fountains; and

magazine areas.

For any activities related to food services, Responsible Parties must operate in accordance with

“Interim Guidance for Food Services during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.”

II. PLACES

A. Protective Equipment

•

Responsible Parties must ensure employees wear face coverings when they are within six feet of

customers or coworkers. Employees also must wear face coverings any time they interact with

customers (e.g. ringing up a purchase, wrapping an item to hand off).

•

Responsible Parties must ensure that customers are only permitted entry into the retail store if they

wear an acceptable face covering; provided, however, that the customer is over the age of two and

able to medically tolerate such covering.

•

In addition to necessary PPE as required for certain workplace activities, Responsible Parties must

procure, fashion, or otherwise obtain acceptable face coverings and provide such coverings to their

employees while at work at no cost to the employee. Responsible Parties should have an adequate

supply of cloth face coverings, masks and other required PPE on hand should an employee need a

replacement. Acceptable face coverings include, but are not limited to, cloth (e.g. homemade sewn,

quick cut, bandana), surgical masks, N95 respirators, and face shields.

•

Face coverings must be cleaned or replaced after use and may not be shared. Please consult CDC

guidance for additional information on cloth face coverings and other types of PPE as well as

instructions on use and cleaning.

o

Note that cloth face coverings or disposable masks shall not be considered acceptable face

coverings for workplace activities that impose a higher degree of protection for face covering

requirements. For example, if N95 respirators are traditionally required for specific retail

activities, a cloth or homemade mask would not suffice. Responsible Parties must adhere to

OSHA standards for such safety equipment.

6

6

- App. 272 -

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-16 Filed 10/08/20 Page 8 of 26 PageID #: 246

•

Responsible Parties must allow employees to use their own acceptable face coverings but cannot

require employees to supply their own face coverings. Further, this guidance shall not prevent

employees from wearing their personally owned additional protective coverings (e.g. surgical masks,

N95 respirators, or face shields), or if the Responsible Parties otherwise requires employees to wear

more protective PPE due to the nature of their work. Employers should comply with all applicable

OSHA standards.

•

Responsible Parties must put in place measures to limit the sharing of objects, such as tools,

registers, and vehicles, as well as the touching of shared surfaces; or, require employees to wear

gloves (trade-appropriate or medical) when in contact with shared objects or frequently touched

surfaces; or, require employees to sanitize or wash their hands before and after contact.

•

Responsible Parties must ensure gloves are worn while handling any food products.

•

Responsible Parties must train employees on how to adequately put on, take off, clean (as

applicable), and discard PPE, including but not limited to, appropriate face coverings.

B. Hygiene, Cleaning, and Disinfection

•

Responsible Parties must ensure adherence to hygiene and sanitation requirements as advised by the

CDC and DOH, including “Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfection of Public and Private Facilities for

COVID-19,” and the “STOP THE SPREAD” poster, as applicable. Responsible Parties must maintain

logs that include the date, time, and scope of cleaning and disinfection.

•

Responsible Parties must provide and maintain hand hygiene stations on site, as follows:

o

For handwashing: soap, running warm water, and disposable paper towels.

o

For sanitizer: an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol for areas where

handwashing facilities may not be available or practical.

o

Responsible Parties must make hand sanitizer available throughout the store for use by

employees and customers; it should be placed in convenient locations such as points of entrance

for customers and at cash registers or payment terminals.

•

Responsible Parties should place signage near hand sanitizer stations indicating that visibly soiled

hands should be washed with soap and water; hand sanitizer is not effective on visibly soiled hands.

•

Responsible Parties should place receptacles around the location for disposal of soiled items, including

PPE.

•

Responsible Parties must provide appropriate cleaning and disinfection supplies for shared and

frequently touched surfaces and encourage employees to use these supplies, following

manufacturers’ instructions, before and after use of these surfaces, followed by hand hygiene.

•

Responsible Parties must conduct regular cleaning and disinfection of the retail location and more

frequent cleaning and disinfection for high risk areas used by many individuals and for frequently

touched surfaces. Cleaning and disinfection must be rigorous and ongoing and should occur at least

after each shift, daily, or more frequently as needed. Please refer to DOH’s “Interim Guidance for

Cleaning and Disinfection of Public and Private Facilities for COVID-19” for detailed instructions on

how to clean and disinfect facilities.

o

Responsible Parties must ensure regular cleaning and disinfection of restrooms. Restrooms

should be cleaned and disinfected more often depending on frequency of use.

7

7

- App. 273 -

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-16 Filed 10/08/20 Page 9 of 26 PageID #: 247

▪

Responsible Parties must ensure distancing rules are adhered to by reducing restroom

capacity where feasible.

o

Responsible Parties must ensure that equipment is regularly disinfected using registered

disinfectants, including at least as often as employees change workstations. Refer to the

Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) list of products registered in New York State

identified by the EPA as effective against COVID-19.

o

If cleaning or disinfection products or the act of cleaning and disinfection causes safety hazards

or degrades the material or equipment, Responsible Parties must put in place hand hygiene

stations between use and/or supply disposable gloves and/or limitations on the number of

employees using such equipment.

•

Responsible Parties must provide for the cleaning and disinfection of exposed areas in the event of a

positive case of COVID-19 of an employee or customer, with such cleaning and disinfection to

include, at a minimum, all heavy transit areas and high-touch surfaces (e.g. vending machines,

handrails, bathrooms, door knobs).

•

CDC guidelines on “Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility” if someone is suspected or confirmed to

have COVID-19 are as follows:

o

Close off areas used by the person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19.

▪

Responsible Parties do not necessarily need to close operations, if they can close off the

affected areas.

o

Open outside doors and windows to increase air circulation in the area.

o

Wait 24 hours before you clean or disinfect. If 24 hours is not feasible, wait as long as possible.

o

Clean and disinfect all areas used by the person who is suspected or confirmed to have COVID19, such as offices, bathrooms, common areas, and shared equipment.

o

Once the area has been appropriately disinfected, it can be opened for use.

o

▪

Employees without close or proximate contact with the person who is suspected or confirmed

to have COVID-19 can return to the work area immediately after disinfection.

▪

Refer to DOH’s “Interim Guidance for Public and Private Employees Returning to Work

Following COVID-19 Infection or Exposure“ for information on “close or proximate” contacts.

If more than seven days have passed since the person who is suspected or confirmed to have

COVID-19 visited or used the retail location, additional cleaning and disinfection is not necessary,

but routine cleaning and disinfection should continue.

•

For retail activities involving the handling of shared objects (e.g. carts, baskets, payment devices),

areas (e.g. pickup area), and/or surfaces (e.g. doors), Responsible Parties must ensure that such

areas and objects are cleaned and disinfected daily, at a minimum.

•

Responsible Parties should prepare a plan for receipt and resale of returned merchandise, or modify

policies to ensure safety of employees and customers, which may include restricting certain items

from return during the period of the emergency. Responsible Parties should clean and disinfect

returned merchandise, to the extent practicable.

•

Responsible Parties must prohibit shared food and beverages among employees (e.g. self-serve

meals and beverages), encourage employees to bring lunch from home, and reserve adequate space

for employees to observe social distancing while eating meals.

8

8

- App. 274 -

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-16 Filed 10/08/20 Page 10 of 26 PageID #: 248

C. Phased Reopening

•

To the extent that they are not operating at full capacity during the public health emergency,

Responsible Parties are encouraged to phase-in reopening activities so as to allow for operational

issues to be resolved before production or work activities return to normal levels. Responsible Parties

should consider limiting the number of employees, hours, and number of customers available to be

served when first reopening so as to provide operations with the ability to adjust to the changes.

D. Communications Plan

•

Responsible Parties must affirm that they have reviewed and understand the state-issued industry

guidelines, and that they will implement them.

•

Responsible Parties should develop a communications plan for employees, visitors, and customers

that includes applicable instructions, training, signage, and a consistent means to provide employees

with information. Responsible Parties may consider developing webpages, text and email groups, and

social media.

•

Responsible Parties should encourage customers to adhere to CDC and DOH guidance regarding the

use of PPE, specifically face coverings when a social distance of 6 feet cannot be maintained, through

verbal communication and signage.

•

Responsible Parties should post signage inside and outside of the retail location to remind personnel

and customers to adhere to proper hygiene, social distancing rules, appropriate use of PPE, and

cleaning and disinfection protocols.

III. PROCESSES

A. Screening and Testing

•

Responsible Parties must implement mandatory daily health screening practices for employees and,

where practicable, visitors, but such screening shall not be mandated for customers and delivery

personnel.

o

Screening practices may be performed remotely (e.g. by telephone or electronic survey), before

the employee reports to the workplace, to the extent possible; or may be performed on site.

o

Screening should be coordinated to prevent employees from intermingling in close or proximate

contact with each other prior to completion of the screening.

o

At a minimum, screening must be required of all employees and visitors (but not customers) and

completed using a questionnaire that determines whether the employee or visitor has:

(a) knowingly been in close or proximate contact in the past 14 days with anyone who has

tested positive for COVID-19 or who has or had symptoms of COVID-19;

(b) tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days; and/or

(c) has experienced any symptoms of COVID-19 in the past 14 days.

•

Refer to CDC guidance on “Symptoms of Coronavirus” for the most up to date information on

symptoms associated with COVID-19.

9

9

- App. 275 -

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-16 Filed 10/08/20 Page 11 of 26 PageID #: 249

•

Responsible Parties must require employees to immediately disclose if and when their responses to

any of the aforementioned questions changes, such as if they begin to experience symptoms,

including during or outside of work hours.

•

In addition to the screening questionnaire, temperature checks may also be conducted per Equal

Employment Opportunity Commission or DOH guidelines. Responsible Parties are prohibited from

keeping records of employee health data (e.g. the specific temperature data of an individual), but are

permitted to maintain records that confirm individuals were screened and the result of such screening

(e.g., pass/fail, cleared/not cleared).

•

Responsible Parties must ensure that any personnel performing screening activities, including

temperature checks, are appropriately protected from exposure to potentially infectious employees

entering the retail location. Personnel performing screening activities should be trained by employeridentified individuals who are familiar with CDC, DOH, and OSHA protocols.

•

Screeners should be provided and use PPE, including at a minimum, a mask or cloth face covering,

and may include gloves, a gown, and/or a face shield.

•

An individual who screens positive for COVID-19 symptoms must not be allowed to enter the

workplace and must be sent home with instructions to contact their healthcare provider for

assessment and testing.

o

Responsible Parties should provide such individuals with information on healthcare and testing

resources.

o

Responsible Parties must immediately notify the state and local health department about the case

if test results are positive for COVID-19.

•

Responsible Parties should refer to DOH’s “Interim Guidance for Public and Private Employees

Returning to Work Following COVID-19 Infection or Exposure” regarding protocols and policies for

employees seeking to return to work after a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 or after the

employee had close or proximate contact with a person with COVID-19.

•

Responsible Parties must designate a central point of contact, which may vary by activity, location,

shift or day, responsible for receiving and attesting to having reviewed all questionnaires, with such

contact also identified as the party for individuals to inform if they later are experiencing COVID-19related symptoms, as noted on the questionnaire.

•

Responsible Parties must designate a site safety monitor whose responsibilities include continuous

compliance with all aspects of the site safety plan.

•

To the extent possible, Responsible Parties should maintain a log of employees and visitors who may

have close or proximate contact with other individuals at the workplace or area; excluding customers

and deliveries that are performed with appropriate PPE or through contactless means. Log should

contain contact information, such that all contacts may be identified, traced and notified in the event

an employee is diagnosed with COVID-19. Responsible Parties must cooperate with state and local

health department contact tracing efforts.

•

Responsible Parties cannot mandate that customers complete a health screen or provide contact

information but may encourage customers to do so. Responsible Parties may provide an option for

customers to provide contact information so they can be logged and contacted for contact tracing, if

necessary.

10

10

- App. 276 -

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-16 Filed 10/08/20 Page 12 of 26 PageID #: 250

B. Tracing and Tracking

•

Responsible Parties must notify the state and local health department immediately upon being

informed of any positive COVID-19 test result by an employee at their workplace.

•

In the case of an employee, visitor, or customer who interacted at the business testing positive, the

Responsible Parties must cooperate with the state and local health department to trace all contacts in

the workplace and notify the state and local health department of all employees logged and

visitors/customers (as applicable) who entered the retail location dating back to 48 hours before the

employee began experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or tested positive, whichever is earlier, but

maintain confidentiality as required by federal and state law and regulations.

•

State and local health departments will implement monitoring and movement restrictions of infected

or exposed persons including home isolation or quarantine.

•

Individuals who are alerted that they have come into close or proximate contact with a person with

COVID-19, and have been alerted via tracing, tracking or other mechanism, are required to selfreport to their employer at the time of alert and shall follow the protocol referenced above.

IV. EMPLOYER PLANS

Responsible Parties must conspicuously post completed safety plans on the premises of the workplace.

The State has made available a business reopening safety plan template to guide business owners and

operators in developing plans to protect against the spread of COVID-19.

Additional safety information, guidelines, and resources are available at:

New York State Department of Health Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Website

https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Coronavirus (COVID-19) Website

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Occupational Safety and Health Administration COVID-19 Website

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/

At the link below, affirm that you have read and understand your obligation to

operate in accordance with this guidance:

https://forms.ny.gov/s3/ny-forward-affirmation

11

11

- App. 277 -

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-16 Filed 10/08/20 Page 13 of 26 PageID #: 251

INTERIM GUIDANCE FOR MALLS DURING THE COVID-19 PUBLIC

HEALTH EMERGENCY

When you have read this document, you can affirm at the bottom.

As of August 19, 2020

Pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Orders, malls remain closed until Friday, July 10, 2020

when malls may reopen in regions that have reached Phase 4 and adhere to the following

guidance. Specifically, any indoor common portions of retail shopping malls with 100,000 or more

square feet of retail space available for lease must remain closed to the public until Friday, July 10, 2020

when malls in Phase 4 regions may reopen; however, any stores without their own external entrance(s)

may operate via curbside pickup in Phase 1 and 2 providing purchased items to customers at or near the

general mall entrance and any stores with their own external entrance(s) separate from the general mall

entrance (e.g. strip malls, anchor tenants), may open for curbside and in-store pickup in Phase 1 and all

in-store retail activities in Phase 2.

Purpose

This Interim Guidance for Malls during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (“Interim COVID-19

Guidance for Malls”) was created to provide proprietors/owners/operators of malls and their employees,

contractors, vendors, and customers with precautions to help protect against the spread of COVID-19.

This guidance applies to all indoor, strip, and outlet malls permitted to operate. This guidance does not

apply to restaurants or other food services, movie theaters, retailers of rental goods, or personal care

services, such as hair salons, nail salons, spas, tattoo parlors, laser hair removal, or electrolysis, that may

be located in such malls.

Retail stores within malls must follow the guidelines outlined in the Department of Health’s (DOH) “Interim

Guidance for Essential and Phase II Retail Business Activities during the COVID-19 Public Health

Emergency.” Restaurants and other food services within malls must follow the guidelines outlined in DOH’s

“Interim Guidance for Food Services during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.” Movie theaters within

malls must follow any guidance issued for such purpose (at the time of publication, movie theaters are not

permitted to open). Personal care services within malls must follow the guidelines outlined in DOH’s “Interim

Guidance for Personal Care Services during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.” All other business

within malls should refer to their respective industry guidelines, if and where applicable.

These guidelines are minimum requirements only and any mall proprietor/owner/operator is free to

provide additional precautions or increased restrictions. These guidelines are based on the best-known

public health practices at the time of publication, and the documentation upon which these guidelines are

based can and does change frequently. The Responsible Parties – as defined below – are accountable for

adhering to all local, state and federal requirements relative to mall operations. The Responsible Parties

are also accountable for staying current with any updates to these requirements, as well as incorporating

same into any mall operations and/or Site Safety Plan.

Background

12

- App. 278 -

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-16 Filed 10/08/20 Page 14 of 26 PageID #: 252

On March 7, 2020, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo issued Executive Order 202, declaring a state of

emergency in response to COVID-19. Community transmission of COVID-19 has occurred throughout

New York. To minimize further spread, social distancing of at least six feet must be maintained between

individuals, where possible.

On March 20, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.6, directing all non-essential businesses

to close in-office personnel functions. Essential businesses, as defined by Empire State Development

Corporation (ESD) guidance, were not subject to the in-person restriction, but were, however, directed to

comply with the guidance and directives for maintaining a clean and safe work environment issued by

DOH, and were strongly urged to maintain social distancing measures to the extent possible.

On April 12, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.16, directing essential businesses to

provide employees, who are present in the workplace, with a face covering, at no-cost, that must be

used when in direct contact with customers or members of the public during the course of their work.

On April 15, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.17, directing that any individual who is

over age two and able to medically tolerate a face-covering must cover their nose and mouth with a

mask or cloth face-covering when in a public place and unable to maintain, or when not maintaining,

social distance. On April 16, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.18, directing that

everyone using public or private transportation carriers or other for-hire vehicles, who is over age two

and able to medically tolerate a face covering, must wear a mask or cloth face covering over the nose

and mouth during any such trip. It also directed any operators or drivers of public or private transport to

wear a mask or cloth face covering which covers the nose and mouth while there are any passengers in

such a vehicle. On May 29, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.34, authorizing business

operators/owners with the discretion to deny admittance to individuals who fail to comply with the face

covering or mask requirements.

On April 26, 2020, Governor Cuomo announced a phased approach to reopen industries and businesses

in New York in phases based upon a data-driven, regional analysis. On May 4, 2020, the

Governor provided that the regional analysis would consider several public health factors, including new

COVID-19 infections, as well as health care system, diagnostic testing, and contact tracing capacity. On

May 11, 2020, Governor Cuomo announced that the first phase of reopening would begin on May 15,

2020 in several regions of New York, based upon available regional metrics and indicators. On May 29,

2020, Governor Cuomo announced that the second phase of reopening would begin in several regions of

the state, and announced the use of a new early warning dashboard that aggregates the state's

expansive data collection efforts for New Yorkers, government officials, and experts to monitor and

review how the virus is being contained to ensure a safe reopening. On June 11, Governor Cuomo

announced that the third phase of reopening would begin on June 12 in several regions of New York. On

June 24, 2020, Governor Cuomo announced that several regions of the state were on track to enter the

fourth phase of reopening starting on June 26.

In addition to the following standards, businesses must continue to comply with the guidance and

directives for maintaining clean and safe work environments issued by DOH.

Please note that where guidance in this document differs from other guidance documents issued by New

York State, the more recent guidance shall apply.

Standards for Responsible Mall Operations in New York State

No mall operation can occur without meeting the following minimum State standards, as well as

applicable federal requirements, including but not limited to such minimum standards of the Americans

with Disabilities Act (ADA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Environmental Protection

13

2

- App. 279 -

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-16 Filed 10/08/20 Page 15 of 26 PageID #: 253

Agency (EPA), and United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration

(OSHA).

The State standards contained within this guidance apply to all malls in operation during the COVID-19

public health emergency until rescinded or amended by the State. The proprietor/operator of the mall, or

another party as may be designated by the proprietor/operator (in either case, "the Responsible Parties"),

shall be responsible for meeting these standards.

The proprietor/operator of the mall, or their designee, shall be primarily responsible for meeting

standards with respect to any common areas. Tenants, if not the proprietor/operator, shall be primarily

responsible for meeting these standards with respect to their leased space(s), unless the tenant and

proprietor/operator reach an alternate agreement in regard to such responsibilities (e.g. joint screening

protocol).

Except where noted otherwise, references made to “employees” (1) include employees, contractors, and

vendors, and (2) references to “employees and/or visitors” are to the proprietor/operator of the mall and

their employees and/or visitors. Responsible Parties should coordinate with tenant entities occupying

space within the mall, where applicable, on the implementation of practices in accordance with this

guidance. For more information on such entities and their employees, contractors, and visitors, see the

guidance referenced above.

The following guidance is organized around three distinct categories: people, places, and processes.

I. PEOPLE

A. Physical Distancing

•

Responsible Parties, in coordination with any tenants, must ensure that the workforce and customer

presence is limited to no more than 50% of the maximum occupancy for a particular area as set by

the certificate of occupancy, inclusive of customers, who must maintain six feet of separation from

individuals who are not in their immediate party/household/family and, in all cases, must only be

permitted entry into the mall and businesses within the mall if they wear an acceptable face

covering; provided however, that the customer is over the age of two and able to medically tolerate

such covering; and

•

Responsible Parties must ensure a distance of at least six feet is maintained among employees and

customers at all times, unless the safety or the core activity requires a shorter distance (e.g.

operating cash registers, moving and lifting merchandise). Employees must wear acceptable face

coverings any time they interact with customers (e.g. providing information to customers, ringing up

a purchase, wrapping an item to hand off) and any time employees are within six feet of another

person. Employees must be prepared to don a face covering if another person unexpectedly comes

within six feet. Customers entering the mall must also wear a face covering.

o

Acceptable face coverings for COVID-19 include but are not limited to cloth-based face coverings

and disposable masks that cover both the mouth and nose.

o

However, cloth, disposable, or other homemade face coverings are not acceptable face coverings

for workplace activities that typically require a higher degree of protection for personal protective

equipment (PPE) due to the nature of the work. For those activities, N95 respirators or other PPE

used under existing industry standards should continue to be used, as is defined in accordance

with OSHA guidelines.

14

3

- App. 280 -

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-16 Filed 10/08/20 Page 16 of 26 PageID #: 254

•

•

Responsible Parties may modify the use and/or restrict the number of work spaces and employee

seating areas, so that individuals are at least six feet apart in all directions (e.g. side-to-side and

when facing one another) and are not sharing spaces without cleaning and disinfection between use.

When distancing is not feasible between work stations or spaces, Responsible Parties must provide

and require the use of face coverings or physical barriers such as plastic shielding walls, in lieu of

face coverings in areas where they would not affect air flow, heating, cooling, or ventilation.

o

If used, physical barriers should be put in place in accordance with OSHA guidelines.

o

Physical barrier options may include: strip curtains, plexiglass or similar materials, or other

impermeable dividers or partitions.

Responsible Parties are encouraged to modify mall layouts so that employees and customers are at

least six feet apart in all directions when employees are working and customers are browsing, unless

physical barriers are in place (e.g. Plexiglass or partitions at cash registers).

o

Responsible Parties must require that employees use face coverings when interacting with

customers. Responsible Parties shall not permit customers into the mall without a face covering,

if medically able to tolerate one, and are over age two.

o

If entry is denied, Responsible Parties should seek to provide alternate methods of pickup and/or

delivery for customers, particularly to ensure access to essential goods, including but not limited

to food, medication, and medical equipment or supplies.

o

Responsible Parties must reserve adequate space for employees and customers to work and

shop, considering appropriate social distancing.

o

Responsible Parties should consider creating one-way corridors or aisles, or otherwise

rearranging traffic flow.

•

Responsible Parties must prohibit the use of small spaces (e.g. elevators, bathrooms, stock rooms) by

more than one individual at a time, unless all individuals in such spaces at the same time are wearing

acceptable face coverings. However, occupancy must never exceed 50% of the maximum capacity of

the space, unless it is designed for use by a single occupant. Responsible Parties should increase

ventilation with outdoor air to the greatest extent possible (e.g. opening windows, leaving doors

open), while maintaining safety protocols.

•

Responsible Parties should encourage the use of touchless payment options or pay ahead, when

available. Minimize handling cash, credit cards, reward cards, and mobile devices, where possible.

•

Responsible Parties should put in place measures to reduce bi-directional foot traffic of customers

using tape or signs with arrows in corridors and hallways, and post signage and distance markers

denoting spaces of six feet in all commonly used areas and any areas in which lines are commonly

formed or people may congregate (e.g., clock in/out stations, health screening stations, in-mall

kiosks, break rooms).

o

Where possible, Responsible Parties should place markers or barriers to encourage one

directional traffic.

•

Responsible Parties must post signage and distance markers denoting spaces of six feet in all

commonly used areas and any areas in which lines are commonly formed or people may congregate

(e.g. clock in/out stations, health screening stations, break rooms, cash register areas, near

merchandise, in aisles).

•

Responsible Parties must post signs inside and outside of the mall, consistent with DOH COVID-19

signage. Responsible Parties can develop their own customized signage specific to their workplace or

15

4

- App. 281 -

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-16 Filed 10/08/20 Page 17 of 26 PageID #: 255

setting, provided that such signage is consistent with the Department’s signage. Signage should be

used to remind employees and customers to:

o

Stay home if sick.

o

Cover their nose and mouth with face covering.

o

Properly store and, when necessary, discard PPE.

o

Adhere to physical distancing instructions.

o

Report symptoms of or exposure to COVID-19, and how they should do so.

o

Follow hand hygiene and cleaning and disinfection guidelines.

o

Follow appropriate respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette.

B. Gatherings in Enclosed Spaces

•

Responsible Parties should limit in-person gatherings of employees (e.g. team meetings, stock

rooms) to the extent possible, and use other methods such as video or teleconferencing whenever

possible, per CDC guidance “Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)”. Responsible Parties should hold in-person employee

meetings in open, well-ventilated spaces and ensure that individuals maintain six feet of social

distance between one another (e.g. if there are chairs, leave space between chairs, have employees

sit in alternating chairs) or wear appropriate face coverings.

•

Responsible Parties should encourage social distancing by limiting occupancy or closing non-essential

amenities and communal areas that do not allow for social distancing protocols. If open, Responsible

Parties must make hand sanitizer or disinfecting wipes available next to equipment near such

amenities (e.g. vending machines, communal coffee stations).

•

Responsible Parties must put in place practices for adequate social distancing in small areas, such as

restrooms and breakrooms, and should develop signage and systems (e.g. flagging when occupied)

to restrict occupancy when social distancing cannot be maintained in such areas; and

•

Responsible Parties should stagger schedules for employees to observe social distancing (i.e., six feet

of space) for any gathering (e.g. while taking breaks).

C. Workplace Activity

•

•

Responsible Parties must take measures to reduce interpersonal contact and congregation, through

methods such as:

o

adjusting workplace hours;

o

reducing on-site workforce, where appropriate, to accommodate social distancing guidelines;

o

shifting design (e.g. A/B teams, staggered arrival/departure times);

o

batching activities, where possible, so employees can adhere to social distancing and reduce the

number of hands touching products at the same time (e.g. one employee does all packing and a

separate employee fulfills the delivery); and/or

o

encouraging, but not requiring, customers to bag their own purchases.

Responsible Parties should adjust retail hours as necessary to enable enhanced cleaning and

disinfection procedures.

16

5

- App. 282 -

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-16 Filed 10/08/20 Page 18 of 26 PageID #: 256

D. Movement and Commerce

•

Responsible Parties must monitor and control the flow of traffic into the mall to ensure adherence to

maximum capacity requirements.

o

Responsible Parties should maintain sufficient employee or security presence to monitor traffic

flow and to ensure groups adhere to social gathering limitations.

o

Responsible Parties must prohibit congregating and loitering by customers and should maintain

sufficient employee or security presence, including hiring additional staff, to eliminate

congregating and loitering.

•

Responsible Parties must establish designated areas for deliveries, limiting contact to the extent

possible.

•

Responsible Parties should provide clearly designated, separate entrances and exits, where possible.

o

Responsible Parties must be prepared to queue customers outside both mall and businesses

while still maintaining physical distance including through the use of visual cues or markers.

•

For merchandise deliveries, Responsible Parties should implement a touchless delivery system

whereby drivers stay in the cab of the vehicle while delivery takes place or, where not practicable,

Responsible Parties must provide acceptable PPE appropriate to the anticipated activities that

includes, at a minimum, a face covering to personnel involved in the delivery at no cost for the

duration of the delivery process.

•

Responsible Parties must perform hand hygiene hands before and after transferring a load (e.g. from

a delivery driver) of merchandise (e.g. perform hand hygiene before starting to load items; and once

all items have been loaded, finish by performing hand hygiene again).

•

Responsible parties should designate curbside pick-up area(s) for interior stores.

•

Responsible parties must suspend valet services.

•

Effective August 20, 2020, Responsible Parties may open limited food court seating areas; provided,

however, that such seating areas and the food services establishments located within the food courts

operate in accordance with DOH's "Interim Guidance for Food Services during the COVID-19 Public

Health Emergency," including any required separation between tables with seating, social distancing

between parties of customers, and occupancy limits.

•

Responsible Parties must close or modify amenities, where applicable, including:

o

Closing common seating areas within the mall, except food court seating areas as provided

above;

o

Closing self-serve bars and samplers; and

o

Closing water fountains.

II. PLACES

A. Air Filtration and Building Systems

17

6

- App. 283 -

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-16 Filed 10/08/20 Page 19 of 26 PageID #: 257

•

For malls that are greater than 800,000 square feet, Responsible Parties must ensure building HVAC

system filtration meets the highest rated filtration compatible with the currently installed filter rack

and air handling systems, at a minimum MERV-13, or industry equivalent or greater (e.g., HEPA), as

applicable, and as certified and documented by a certified HVAC technician, professional, or

company, ASHRAE-certified professional, certified retro-commissioning professional, or New Yorklicensed professional building engineer.

o

•

▪

Increasing ventilation rates and outdoor air ventilation to the extent possible;

▪

Keeping systems running for longer hours (e.g., 24/7 if possible);

▪

Disabling demand-controlled ventilation, where reasonable, but still maintaining systems that

increase fresh air supply (e.g., conference or meeting rooms);

▪

Opening outdoor air dampers to reduce or eliminate recirculation to the extent possible;

▪

Considering the installation of appropriately designed and deployed ultraviolet germicidal

irradiation (UVGI) to deactivate airborne virus particles;

▪

Sealing edges of the filter to limit bypass; and/or

▪

Regularly inspecting systems and filters to ensure they are properly operating, and filters are

appropriately installed, serviced and within service life.

If a mall greater than 800,000 square feet is unable to meet a building HVAC system filtration rating

of MERV-13 or greater, Responsible Parties must have a certified HVAC technician, professional, or

company, ASHRAE-certified professional, certified retro-commissioning professional, or New Yorklicensed professional building engineer certify and document that the currently installed filter rack

and air handling system would be unable to perform to the minimum level of heating and cooling that

it was otherwise able to provide prior to the COVID-19 public health emergency if such a high degree

of filtration (i.e., MERV-13 or greater) was installed. Further, Responsible Parties must submit such

documentation to DOH for review and approval to operate at a lesser filtration rating of MERV-11 or

MERV-12 with additional ventilation and air filtration mitigation protocols. In all instances, however,

Responsible Parties must maintain a building HVAC system filtration rating of, at least, MERV-11.

o

•

Responsible Parties may also consider adopting additional ventilation and air filtration mitigation

protocols per CDC recommendations, particularly for buildings older than 15 years, including:

In addition, Responsible Parties who are unable to meet a filtration rating of MERV-13 or greater

must put in place additional ventilation and air filtration mitigation protocols per CDC

recommendations, where appropriate, including:

▪

Increasing ventilation rates and outdoor air ventilation to the extent possible;

▪

Keeping systems running for longer hours (e.g., 24/7 if possible);

▪

Disabling demand-controlled ventilation, where reasonable, but still maintaining systems that

increase fresh air supply (e.g., conference or meeting rooms);

▪

Opening outdoor air dampers to reduce or eliminate recirculation to the extent possible;

▪

Considering the installation of appropriately designed and deployed ultraviolet germicidal

irradiation (UVGI) to deactivate airborne virus particles;

▪

Sealing edges of the filter to limit bypass; and/or

▪

Regularly inspecting systems and filters to ensure they are properly operating, and filters are

appropriately installed, serviced and within service life.

For malls that are less than 800,000 square feet, Responsible Parties must ensure building HVAC

system filtration meets the highest rated filtration compatible with the currently installed filter rack

18

7

- App. 284 -

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-16 Filed 10/08/20 Page 20 of 26 PageID #: 258

and air handling systems, at a minimum MERV-11, or industry equivalent or greater (e.g., HEPA), but

ideally MERV-13, as applicable, and as certified and documented by a certified HVAC technician,

professional, or company, ASHRAE-certified professional, certified retro-commissioning professional,

or New York-licensed professional building engineer.

o

•

Responsible Parties may also consider adopting additional ventilation and air filtration mitigation

protocols per CDC recommendations, particularly for buildings operating HVAC systems at less

than MERV-13 filtration rating and buildings older than 15 years, including:

▪

Increasing ventilation rates and outdoor air ventilation to the extent possible;

▪

Keeping systems running for longer hours (e.g., 24/7 if possible);

▪

Disabling demand-controlled ventilation, where reasonable, but still maintaining systems that

increase fresh air supply (e.g., conference or meeting rooms);

▪

Opening outdoor air dampers to reduce or eliminate recirculation to the extent possible;

▪

Considering the installation of appropriately designed and deployed ultraviolet germicidal

irradiation (UVGI) to deactivate airborne virus particles;

▪

Sealing edges of the filter to limit bypass; and/or

▪

Regularly inspecting systems and filters to ensure they are properly operating, and filters are

appropriately installed, serviced and within service life.

Before occupants return to a building that has been entirely closed, Responsible Parties must

complete pre-return checks, tasks, and assessments to ensure a healthy and safe environment.

These systems include, but are not limited to, mechanical systems, water systems, elevators, and

HVAC systems.

o

Depending on the length of time equipment has been inactive, Responsible Parties should run

systems with careful observation to ensure machinery (e.g. valves and switches) are operating

correctly.

o

Specific system actions may be required to restart systems after prolonged shutdown.

Responsible Parties may determine necessity for each of these items based on length of

shutdown and condition as inspected.

o

As appropriate and applicable, Responsible Parties should flush building with fresh air based on

the design of the makeup/outside air system for a minimum of 24 hours.

o

Responsible Parties must ensure air filters are replaced as needed (e.g. after flushing the

building).

o

Responsible Parties must ensure maintenance and monitoring of cooling towers have been

conducted in accordance with state regulations and that chemical and microbial levels are within

defined ranges for any closed water systems and/or water features, and drain any devices that

may contain stagnant water.

o

Responsible Parties must flush cold- and hot-water systems in accordance with building water

management plan, if applicable.

o

Responsible Parties must ensure any water filters are replaced as needed after flushing the

building’s water systems.

o

For buildings that were entirely closed, Responsible Parties should ensure that the operation of all

mechanical equipment and systems has been restored prior to reopening the building.

19

8

- App. 285 -

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-16 Filed 10/08/20 Page 21 of 26 PageID #: 259

B. Protective Equipment

•

Responsible Parties must ensure employees wear face coverings when they are within six feet of

customers or coworkers. Employees also must wear face coverings any time they interact with

customers (e.g. ringing up a purchase, wrapping an item to hand off, security interactions).

•

Responsible Parties must ensure that customers are only permitted entry into the mall and

businesses within the mall if they wear an acceptable face covering; provided, however, that the

customer is over the age of two and able to medically tolerate such covering.

•

In addition to necessary PPE as required for certain workplace activities, Responsible Parties must

procure, fashion, or otherwise obtain acceptable face coverings and provide such coverings to their

employees while at work at no cost to the employee. Responsible Parties should have an adequate

supply of face coverings and other required PPE on hand should an employee or customer need a

replacement. Acceptable face coverings include, but are not limited to, cloth (e.g. homemade sewn,

quick cut, bandana), surgical masks, N95 respirators, and face shields.

•

Face coverings must be cleaned or replaced after use and may not be shared. Please consult CDC

guidance for additional information on cloth face coverings and other types of PPE as well as

instructions on use and cleaning.

o

Note that cloth face coverings or disposable masks shall not be considered acceptable face

coverings for workplace activities that require a higher degree of protection for face covering

requirements. For example, if N95 respirators are traditionally required for specific retail

activities, a cloth or homemade mask would not suffice. Responsible Parties must adhere to

OSHA standards for such safety equipment.

•

Responsible Parties must allow employees to use their own acceptable face coverings but cannot

require employees to supply their own face coverings. Further, this guidance shall not prevent

employees from wearing their personally owned protective face coverings (e.g. surgical masks, N95

respirators, or face shields). Responsible Parties may require employees to wear more protective PPE

due to the nature of their work. Employers should comply with all applicable OSHA standards.

•

Responsible Parties must put in place measures to limit the sharing of objects, such as tools,

registers, and vehicles, as well as the touching of shared surfaces; or, require employees to wear

gloves (trade-appropriate or medical) when in contact with shared objects or frequently touched

surfaces; or, require employees to perform hand hygiene before and after contact.

•

Responsible Parties must ensure gloves are worn while handling any food products.

•

Responsible Parties must train employees on how to adequately put on, take off, clean (as

applicable), and discard PPE, including but not limited to, appropriate face coverings.

C. Hygiene, Cleaning, and Disinfection

•

Responsible Parties must ensure adherence to hygiene and cleaning and disinfection requirements as

advised by the CDC and DOH, including “Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfection of Public and Private

Facilities for COVID-19,” and the “STOP THE SPREAD” poster, as applicable. Responsible Parties must

maintain logs that include the date, time, and scope of cleaning and disinfection.

•

Responsible Parties must provide and maintain hand hygiene stations on site, as follows:

o

For handwashing: soap, running warm water, and disposable paper towels.

20

9

- App. 286 -

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-16 Filed 10/08/20 Page 22 of 26 PageID #: 260

o

For hand sanitizing: an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol for areas

where handwashing facilities may not be available or practical.

o

Responsible Parties must make hand sanitizer available throughout the mall for use by employees

and customers; it should be placed in convenient locations such as points of entrance of the mall,

information kiosks, and entrances of each store for customers and at cash registers or payment

terminals. Responsible Parties must include signage indicating that visibly soiled hands should be

washed with soap and water; hand sanitizer is not effective on visibly soiled hands.

•

Responsible Parties must provide appropriate cleaning and disinfection supplies for shared and

frequently touched surfaces and encourage employees to use these supplies, following

manufacturers’ instructions for use, before and after use of these surfaces, followed by hand hygiene.

•

Responsible Parties must conduct regular cleaning and disinfection of the mall and more frequent

cleaning and disinfection for high risk areas used by many individuals and for frequently touched

surfaces. Cleaning and disinfection must be rigorous and ongoing and should occur at least after

each twice daily, or more frequently as needed. Please refer to DOH’s “Interim Guidance for Cleaning

and Disinfection of Public and Private Facilities for COVID-19” for detailed instructions on how to

clean and disinfect facilities.

o

Responsible Parties must ensure regular cleaning and disinfection of restrooms. Restrooms

should be cleaned and disinfected more often depending on frequency of use.

▪

Responsible Parties must ensure distancing rules are adhered to by using signage, occupied

markers, or other methods to reduce restroom capacity where feasible.

o

Responsible Parties must ensure that equipment is regularly cleaned and disinfected using

registered disinfectants, including at least as often as employees change workstations. Refer to

the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) list of products registered in New York

State identified by the EPA as effective against COVID-19.

o

If cleaning or disinfection products or the act of cleaning and disinfection causes safety hazards

or degrades the material or equipment, Responsible Parties must put in place hand hygiene

stations between use and/or supply disposable gloves and/or limitations on the number of

employees using such equipment.

•

Responsible Parties must provide for the cleaning and disinfection of exposed areas in the event of a

positive case of COVID-19 of an employee or customer, with such cleaning and disinfection to

include, at a minimum, all heavy transit areas and high-touch surfaces (e.g. vending machines,

handrails, bathrooms, door knobs).

•

CDC guidelines on “Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility” if someone is suspected or confirmed to

have COVID-19 are as follows:

o

Close off areas used by the person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 .

▪

Responsible Parties do not necessarily need to close operations, if they can close off the

affected areas.

o

Open outside doors and windows to increase air circulation in the area.

o

Wait 24 hours before you clean and disinfect. If 24 hours is not feasible, wait as long as possible.

o

Clean and disinfect all areas used by the person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 , such as

offices, bathrooms, common areas, and shared equipment.

o

Once the area has been appropriately cleaned and disinfected, it can be re-opened for use.

21

10

- App. 287 -

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-16 Filed 10/08/20 Page 23 of 26 PageID #: 261

o

▪

Employees without close or proximate contact with the person suspected or confirmed to have

COVID-19 can return to the work area immediately after cleaning and disinfection.

▪

Refer to DOH’s “Interim Guidance for Public and Private Employees Returning to Work

Following COVID-19 Infection or Exposure“ for information on “close or proximate” contacts.

If more than seven days have passed since the person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19

visited or used the mall location, additional cleaning and disinfection is not necessary, but routine

cleaning and disinfection should continue.

•

For activities involving the handling of shared objects (e.g. baskets, payment devices), areas (e.g.

pickup area), and/or surfaces (e.g. doors, touch-screen directories), Responsible Parties must ensure

that such areas and objects are cleaned and disinfected twice daily, at a minimum.

•

Responsible Parties must prohibit employees from sharing food and beverages (e.g. buffet style

meals), encourage bringing lunch from home, and reserve adequate space for employees to observe

social distancing while eating meals.

D. Phased Reopening

•

Responsible Parties are encouraged to phase-in reopening activities so as to allow for operational

issues to be resolved before mall activities return to normal levels. Responsible Parties should

consider limiting the number of employees, hours, and number of customers available to be served

when first reopening to provide operations with the ability to adjust to the changes.

E. Communications Plan

•

Responsible Parties must affirm that they have reviewed and understand the state-issued industry

guidelines, and that they will implement them.

•

Responsible Parties should develop a communications plan for employees and customers that

includes applicable instructions, training, signage, and a consistent means to provide employees with

information. Responsible Parties may consider developing webpages, text and email groups, and

social media.

•

Responsible Parties should encourage customers to adhere to CDC and DOH guidance regarding the

use of PPE, specifically face coverings when a social distance of six feet cannot be maintained,

through verbal communication and signage.

•

Responsible Parties should post signage inside and outside of the mall to remind personnel and

customers to adhere to proper hygiene, social distancing rules, appropriate use of PPE, and cleaning

and disinfection protocols.

III. PROCESSES

A. Screening and Testing

•

Responsible Parties must implement mandatory daily health screening practices for employees and,

where practicable, visitors, but such screening shall not be mandated for customers or delivery

personnel.

22

11

- App. 288 -

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-16 Filed 10/08/20 Page 24 of 26 PageID #: 262

o

Screening practices may be performed remotely (e.g. by telephone or electronic survey), before

the employee reports to the workplace, to the extent possible; or may be performed on site.

o

Screening should be coordinated to prevent employees from intermingling in close or proximate

contact with each other prior to completion of the screening.

o

At a minimum, screening must be required of all employees and visitors (but not customers) and

completed using a questionnaire that determines whether the employee or visitor has:

(a) knowingly been in close or proximate contact in the past 14 days with anyone who has

tested positive for COVID-19 or who has or had symptoms of COVID-19;

(b) tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days; and/or

(c) has experienced any symptoms of COVID-19 in the past 14 days.

•

Refer to CDC guidance on “Symptoms of Coronavirus” for the most up to date information on

symptoms associated with COVID-19.

•

Responsible Parties must require individuals to immediately disclose if and when their responses to

any of the aforementioned questions changes, such as if they begin to experience symptoms,

including during or outside of work hours.

•

In addition to the screening questionnaire, temperature checks may also be conducted per Equal

Employment Opportunity Commission or DOH guidelines. Responsible Parties are prohibited from

keeping records of employee health data (e.g. the specific temperature data of an individual), but are

permitted to maintain records that confirm individuals were screened and the result of such screening

(e.g. pass/fail, cleared/not cleared).

•

Responsible Parties must ensure that any personnel performing screening activities, including

temperature checks, are appropriately protected from exposure to potentially infectious employees

entering the mall. Personnel performing screening activities should be trained by employer-identified

individuals who are familiar with CDC, DOH, and OSHA protocols.

•

Screeners should be provided and use PPE, including at a minimum, a mask or cloth face covering,

and may include gloves, a gown, and/or a face shield.

•

An individual who screens positive for COVID-19 symptoms must not be allowed to enter the

workplace and must be sent home with instructions to contact their healthcare provider for

assessment and testing.

o

Responsible Parties should remotely provide such individuals with information on healthcare and

testing resources.

o

Responsible Parties must immediately notify the state and local health department about the case

if test results are positive for COVID-19.

•

Responsible Parties should refer to DOH’s “Interim Guidance for Public and Private Employees

Returning to Work Following COVID-19 Infection or Exposure” regarding protocols and policies for

employees seeking to return to work after a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 or after the

employee had close or proximate contact with a person with COVID-19.

•

Responsible Parties must designate a central point of contact, which may vary by activity, location,

shift or day, responsible for receiving and attesting to having reviewed all questionnaires, with such

23

12

- App. 289 -

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-16 Filed 10/08/20 Page 25 of 26 PageID #: 263

contact also identified as the party for individuals to inform if they later are experiencing COVID-19related symptoms, as noted on the questionnaire.

o

If Responsible Parties and tenants have agreed to an alternate screening arrangement whereby

Responsible Parties screen on behalf of tenants, then Responsible Parties shall be responsible for

maintaining a record of the screening process. Maintaining record of employee health data (e.g.

the specific temperature data of an individual) is prohibited; the only records to be maintained on

a daily basis regarding the screening process are those individuals who were screened, and

confirmation that no employee or visitor who failed the screening process was granted access.

•

Responsible Parties must designate a site safety monitor whose responsibilities include continuous

compliance with all aspects of the site safety plan.

•

To the extent possible, Responsible Parties should maintain a log of every person, including

employees and visitors, who may have close or proximate contact with other individuals at the

workplace or area; excluding customers and deliveries that are performed with appropriate PPE or

through contactless means. Log should contain contact information, such that all contacts may be

identified, traced and notified in the event an employee is diagnosed with COVID-19. Responsible

Parties must cooperate with state and local health department contact tracing efforts.

•

Responsible Parties cannot mandate that customers complete a health screen or provide contact

information but may encourage customers to do so. Responsible Parties may provide an option for

customers to provide contact information so they can be logged and contacted for contact tracing, if

necessary.

B. Tracing and Tracking

•

Responsible Parties must notify the state and local health department where the business is located

immediately upon being informed of any positive COVID-19 test result by an employee at their

workplace.

•

In the case of an employee or customer who interacted at the mall testing positive, the Responsible

Parties must cooperate with the state and local health department to trace all contacts in the

workplace and notify the state and local health department of all employees logged and

visitors/customers (as applicable) who entered the mall dating back to 48 hours before the employee

began experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or tested positive, whichever is earlier, but maintain

confidentiality as required by federal and state law and regulations.

•

State and local health departments will implement monitoring and movement restrictions of infected

or exposed persons including home isolation or quarantine.

•

Individuals who are alerted that they have come into close or proximate contact with a person with

COVID-19, and have been alerted via tracing, tracking or other mechanism, are required to selfreport to their employer at the time of alert and shall follow the protocol referenced above.

IV. EMPLOYER PLANS

Responsible Parties must conspicuously post completed safety plans on site for employees. The State has

made available a business reopening safety plan template to guide business owners and operators in

developing plans to protect against the spread of COVID-19.

24

13

- App. 290 -

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-16 Filed 10/08/20 Page 26 of 26 PageID #: 264

Additional safety information, guidelines, and resources are available at:

New York State Department of Health Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Website

https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Coronavirus (COVID-19) Website

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Occupational Safety and Health Administration COVID-19 Website

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/

At the link below, affirm that you have read and understand your obligation to

operate in accordance with this guidance:

https://forms.ny.gov/s3/ny-forward-affirmation

25

14

- App. 291 -

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-12 Filed 10/08/20 Page 1 of 11 PageID #: 163

EXHIBIT I

- App. 292 -

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-12 Filed 10/08/20 Page 2 of 11 PageID #: 164

INTERIM GUIDANCE FOR RELIGIOUS & FUNERAL SERVICES

DURING THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY

When you have read this document, you can affirm at the bottom.

As of June 26, 2020

Purpose

This Interim Guidance for Religious and Funeral Services and Operations of Faith-Based institutions

during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (“Interim COVID-19 Guidance for Religious and Funeral

Services and Operations of Faith-Based Institutions”) was created to provide faith leaders and officiants

of religious and funeral services and their employees, contractors, volunteers, and attendees with

precautions to help protect against the spread of COVID-19 as religious and funeral services reopen or

increase activity. This guidance applies to all religious and funeral gatherings, including burial and

committal services.

These guidelines are minimum requirements only, and additional precautions or increased restrictions

may be required by the institution or operator. These guidelines are based on the best-known public

health practices at the time of publication, and the documentation upon which these guidelines are based

can and does change frequently. The Responsible Parties – as defined below – are accountable for

adhering to all local, state and federal requirements relative to religious and funeral services. The

Responsible Parties are also accountable for staying current with any updates to these requirements, as

well as incorporating same into any religious and funeral services and/or Site Safety Plan.

Background

On March 7, 2020, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo issued Executive Order 202, declaring a state of

emergency in response to COVID-19. Community transmission of COVID-19 has occurred throughout

New York. To minimize further spread, social distancing of at least six feet must be maintained between

individuals, where possible.

On April 15, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.17, directing that any individual who is

over age two and able to medically tolerate a face-covering must cover their nose and mouth with a

mask or cloth face-covering when in a public place and unable to maintain, or when not maintaining,

social distance. On April 16, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.18, directing that

everyone using public or private transportation carriers or other for-hire vehicles, who is over age two

and able to medically tolerate a face covering, must wear a mask or face covering over the nose and

mouth during any such trip. It also directed any operators or drivers of public or private transport to wear

a face covering or mask which covers the nose and mouth while there are any passengers in such a

vehicle. On May 29, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.34, authorizing business

operators/owners with the discretion to deny admittance to individuals who fail to comply with the face

covering or mask requirements.

On April 26, 2020, Governor Cuomo announced a phased approach to reopen industries and businesses

in New York in phases based upon a data-driven, regional analysis. On May 4, 2020, the

Governor provided that the regional analysis would consider several public health factors, including new

COVID-19 infections, as well as health care system, diagnostic testing, and contact tracing capacity. On

1

- App. 293 -

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-12 Filed 10/08/20 Page 3 of 11 PageID #: 165

May 11, 2020, Governor Cuomo announced that the first phase of reopening would begin on May 15,

2020 in several regions of New York, based upon available regional metrics and indicators. On May 29,

2020, Governor Cuomo announced that the second phase of reopening would begin in several regions of

the state, and announced the use of a new early warning dashboard that aggregates the state's

expansive data collection efforts for New Yorkers, government officials, and experts to monitor and

review how the virus is being contained to ensure a safe reopening. On June 11, Governor Cuomo

announced that the third phase of reopening would begin on June 12 in several regions of New York.

In addition to the following standards, any Department of Health guidance and directives for maintaining

clean and safe work environments must be followed.

Please note that where guidance in this document differs from other guidance documents issued by New

York State, the more recent guidance shall apply.

Standards for Responsible Religious and Funeral Services in New York State

No religious and funeral services activity can occur without meeting the following minimum State

standards, as well as applicable federal requirements, including but not limited to such minimum

standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety

and Health Administration (OSHA).

The State standards contained within this guidance apply to all religious and funeral services in operation

during the COVID-19 public health emergency until rescinded or amended by the State. The operator of

the religious or funeral service, or another party as may be designated by the operator (in either case,

"the Responsible Parties"), shall be responsible for meeting these standards.

The following guidance is organized around three distinct categories: people, places, and processes.

I. PEOPLE

A. Physical Distancing

•

Responsible Parties must ensure that for any religious or funeral service, the congregant/attendee

capacity is limited to:

o

In Phase 1 regions, no more than 10 people for any services occurring indoor or outdoor.

o

In Phase 2 and 3 regions, no more than 25% of the maximum occupancy for a particular area as

set by the certificate of occupancy for services occurring indoor or no more than 25 people for

services occurring outdoor.

o

In Phase 4 regions, no more than 33% of the maximum occupancy for a particular area as set by

the certification of occupancy for services occurring indoor or no more than 50 people for

services occurring outdoor.

▪

If separate buildings are available for use, Responsible Parties may have multiple groups of

10 in separate buildings at the same time in Phase 1; a maximum occupancy of 25% in

separate buildings at the same time in Phase 2 and 3; or a maximum occupancy of 33% in

separate buildings at the same time in Phase 4 so long as the buildings have separate

entrances and exits designated and groups do not interact.

2

- App. 294 2-

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-12 Filed 10/08/20 Page 4 of 11 PageID #: 166

•

Responsible Parties must ensure that a distance of at least six feet is maintained amongst all

individuals at all times, unless safety of the core activity requires a shorter distance (e.g. pallbearing)

or the individuals are members of the same household. However, any singing activity must provide

for a distance between individuals of at least twelve feet, subject to additional protective measures

Any time employees, volunteers, and/or attendees must come within six feet of another person, (or

twelve feet if singing) acceptable face coverings must be worn, unless they are members of the same

household. Employees, volunteers, and/or attendees must be prepared to don a face covering if

another person unexpectedly comes within six feet (e.g. when walking to seats). (See below).

o

•

Acceptable face coverings to protect against COVID-19 include but are not limited to cloth-based

face coverings and disposable masks that cover both the mouth and nose.

Responsible Parties may modify the use and/or restrict the number of stations (e.g. podiums) and

seating areas, so that staff members, volunteers, and attendees are at least six feet apart in all

directions (e.g. side-to-side, in rows, and when facing one another) and are not sharing stations or

seats without cleaning and disinfection between use, unless all individuals are members of the same

household (e.g. seating allows household members to sit together, so long as six feet of distance

from non-household members). When distancing is not feasible between stations (e.g. sound

booths), Responsible Parties must provide and require the use of face coverings and/or enact

physical barriers, such as plastic shielding walls, in lieu of face coverings in areas where they would

not affect air flow, heating, cooling, or ventilation.

o

If used, physical barriers should be put in place in accordance with OSHA guidelines.

o

Physical barrier options may include strip curtains, plexiglass or similar materials, or other

impermeable dividers or partitions.

•

Responsible Parties must prohibit the use of small spaces (e.g. vehicles, elevators) by more than one

individual at a time, unless all individuals in such space at the same time are wearing acceptable face

coverings. However, even with face coverings in use, occupancy must never exceed 50% of the

maximum capacity of the space or vehicle, unless it is designed for use by a single occupant.

Responsible Parties should increase ventilation with outdoor air to the greatest extent possible (e.g.

opening windows and doors), while maintaining safety protocols. Responsible Parties should take

additional measures to prevent congregation in elevator waiting areas and limit density in elevators,

such as enabling the use of stairs.

•

Responsible Parties must put in place measures to reduce bi-directional foot traffic using tape or

signs with arrows in narrow aisles, hallways, pews, or spaces, and post signage and distance markers

denoting spaces of six feet in all commonly used areas and any areas in which lines are commonly

formed or people may congregate (e.g. restrooms, entrances, health screening stations, etc.).

•

Responsible Parties must post signs throughout the facility, consistent with DOH COVID-19 signage.

Responsible Parties can develop their own customized signage specific to their workplace or setting,

provided that such signage is consistent with the Department’s signage. Signage should be used to

remind individuals to:

o

Stay home if sick.

o

Cover their nose and mouth with a face covering.

o

Properly store and, when necessary, discard PPE.

o

Adhere to physical distancing instructions.

o

Report symptoms of or exposure to COVID-19, and how they should do so.

o

Follow hand hygiene and cleaning and disinfection guidelines.

3

- App. 295 3-

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-12 Filed 10/08/20 Page 5 of 11 PageID #: 167

o

Follow appropriate respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette.

o

Prohibit holding or shaking hands of members of different households during services or prayers.

B. Gatherings in Enclosed Spaces

•

Responsible Parties must limit in-person gatherings (e.g. rehearsals, congregational meetings) within

the following parameters, and may use other methods such as video, teleconferencing, or drive-in

services whenever possible, per CDC guidance “Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to

Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)”.

o

In Phase 1 regions, no more than 10 people for any services occurring indoor or outdoor.

o

In Phase 2 and 3 regions, no more than 25% of the maximum occupancy for a particular area as

set by the certificate of occupancy for services occurring indoor or no more than 25 people for

services occurring outdoor.

o

In Phase 4 regions, no more than 33% of the maximum occupancy for a particular area as set by

the certification of occupancy for services occurring indoor or no more than 50 people for

services occurring outdoor.

•

Responsible Parties must put in place practices for adequate social distancing in small areas, such as

restrooms and breakrooms, and should develop signage and systems (e.g. flagging when occupied)

to restrict occupancy when social distancing cannot be maintained in such areas; and

•

Responsible Parties should stagger schedules for staff members and volunteers to observe social

distancing (e.g. six feet of space) for any gathering (e.g. coffee breaks, and shift starts/stops).

C. Gathering Activity

•

Responsible Parties must take measures to reduce interpersonal contact and congregation, through

methods such as:

o

limiting in-person presence of staff to only those employees/volunteers who are necessary;

o

holding services outdoors, when possible (e.g. outdoor service for religious gatherings, or

graveside-only service for funerals);

o

reducing on-site attendees to accommodate social distancing guidelines;

o

providing remote service options (e.g. live streaming, AM/FM broadcast);

o

allowing drive-in services:

▪

Ensure attendees remain in the vehicle in which they arrived.

▪

Attendees should not interact physically with clergy, employees, or attendees in other

vehicles.

▪

Vehicles should contain only members of a single household;

▪

Cars must be at least 6 feet apart, or use alternate parking spaces.

o

offering multiple service times, including separate times for vulnerable populations (e.g. those

over 70, who have underlying health condition, or those how are immunocompromised;

o

encouraging advanced sign-ups to manage capacity;

o

prioritizing activities that allow for social distancing over those that do not;

4

- App. 296 4-

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-12 Filed 10/08/20 Page 6 of 11 PageID #: 168

•

o

avoiding multiple people and/or teams working in one area by staggering scheduled activities and

using signs to indicate occupied areas;

o

changing or removing practices that involve close or proximate contact or sharing things among

members of different households, such as:

▪

sharing a car or limousine ride between locations;

▪

providing food and beverages for attendees before, during, or after the event or service.

Responsible Parties must limit activities involving singing, e.g., a choir, soloist, cantor, or musical

ensemble, unless at least 12 feet of separation can be provided between individuals, or additional

distancing or physical barriers can reduce transmission of respiratory droplets.

D. Movement and Operations

•

Responsible Parties must establish designated areas for pickups and deliveries, limiting contact to the

extent possible.

•

Responsible Parties should limit on-site interactions (e.g. designate an egress for individuals leaving

the premises and a separate ingress for individuals entering) and movements (e.g. individuals should

remain near their stations or seats as often as possible).

II. PLACES

A. Protective Equipment

•

Responsible Parties must procure, fashion, or otherwise obtain acceptable face coverings and provide

such coverings to their employees while at work at no cost to the employee. Responsible Parties

should have an adequate supply of face coverings, masks and other required personal protective

equipment (PPE) on hand should an employee need a replacement, or should a visitor or attendee be

in need. Acceptable face coverings include, but are not limited to, cloth (e.g. homemade sewn, quick

cut, bandana), surgical masks, and face shields.

•

Responsible Parties must ensure all attendees wear face coverings that completely cover the nose

and mouth unless doing so would be contrary to the individual’s health or safety due to medical a

condition, or if the attendee is under two years old.

o

Face coverings are required at all times except while seated, provided all individuals are six feet

apart except for immediate household members. Faith leaders, officiants, volunteers, and/or

attendees must be prepared to don a face covering if another person unexpectedly comes within

six feet (e.g. when walking to seats).

•

Face coverings must be cleaned or replaced after use and may not be shared. Please consult the CDC

guidance for additional information on cloth face coverings and other types of PPE, as well as

instructions on use and cleaning.

•

Responsible Parties must allow those performing the religious service or ceremony to use their own

acceptable face coverings but cannot require such participants to supply their own face coverings.

Further, this guidance shall not prevent employees, officiants, volunteers or attendees from wearing

their personally owned additional protective coverings (e.g. surgical masks, or face shields.

5

- App. 297 5-

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-12 Filed 10/08/20 Page 7 of 11 PageID #: 169

•

Responsible Parties should consider putting in place measures to limit the sharing of objects, such as

religious texts, collection plates, and other materials, as well as the touching of shared surfaces, such

as pews, instruments, doors, and railings; or, require employees and volunteers to wear gloves when

in contact with shared objects or frequently touched surfaces; or, require employees, volunteers, and

attendees to sanitize or wash their hands before and after contact.

•

If providing gowns or other garments, Responsible Parties must ensure they are clean and laundered

between uses.

•

Responsible Parties may implement the following practices to limit the sharing of materials:

•

o

Place donation plates/boxes in central location with proper distancing protocols in place;

o

Remove religious texts from pews or benches, and encourage congregation to bring their own;

o

If choir/musical ensemble meets enhanced distancing measures, encourage members to launder

their own gowns at home, and bring their own instruments, where possible;

o

Adapt certain religious practices that traditionally require close or proximate contact in order to

minimize contact between individuals; and/or

o

Empty fonts or other shared water-related service or ceremonial activities.

Responsible Parties must train employees on how to adequately don, doff, clean (as applicable), and

discard PPE, including but not limited to, appropriate face coverings.

B. Hygiene, Cleaning, and Disinfection

•

Responsible Parties must ensure adherence to hygiene, cleaning and disinfection requirements as

advised by the CDC and DOH, including “Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfection of Public and Private

Facilities for COVID-19,” and the “STOP THE SPREAD” poster, as applicable. Responsible Parties must

maintain logs that include the date, time, and scope of cleaning and disinfection.

•

Responsible Parties must provide and maintain hand hygiene stations on site, as follows:

o

For handwashing: soap, running warm water, and disposable paper towels.

o

For sanitizer: an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol for areas where

handwashing facilities may not be available or practical.

o

Hand sanitizer must be placed throughout the location for use by all attending or working. It

should be placed in convenient locations such as points of entrance/exit.

•

Responsible Parties should place signage near hand sanitizer stations indicating that visibly soiled

hands should be washed with soap and water; hand sanitizer is not effective on visibly soiled hands.

•

Responsible Parties should place receptacles around the facility for disposal of soiled items, including

PPE.

•

Responsible Parties must provide appropriate cleaning and disinfection supplies for shared and

frequently touched surfaces and encourage participants to use these supplies, following

manufacturers’ instructions, before and after use of these surfaces, followed by hand hygiene.

•

Responsible Parties must conduct regular cleaning and disinfection of the location or facility and more

frequent cleaning and disinfection for high risk areas used by many individuals and for frequently

touched surfaces. Cleaning and disinfection must be rigorous and ongoing and must occur at least

after each service. Please refer to DOH’s “Interim Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfection of Public

and Private Facilities for COVID-19” for detailed instructions on how to clean and disinfect facilities.

6

- App. 298 6-

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-12 Filed 10/08/20 Page 8 of 11 PageID #: 170

o

Responsible Parties must ensure regular cleaning and disinfection of restrooms. Restrooms

should be cleaned and disinfected more often depending on frequency of use.

▪

•

Responsible Parties must ensure distancing rules are adhered to by reducing restroom

capacity where feasible.

o

Responsible Parties must ensure that shared objects are regularly disinfected using registered

disinfectants, including at least between services. Refer to the Department of Environmental

Conservation (DEC) list of products registered in New York State and identified by the EPA as

effective against COVID-19.

o

If cleaning or disinfection products or the act of cleaning and disinfection causes safety hazards

or degrades the material (e.g. religious artifact), Responsible Parties must put in place hand

hygiene stations between use and/or supply disposable gloves and/or limitations on the number

of individuals touching such material.

o

Responsible Parties must provide for the cleaning and disinfection of exposed areas in the event

of a positive case of COVID-19, with such cleaning and disinfection to include, at a minimum, all

heavy transit areas and high-touch surfaces (e.g. pews, religious texts, collection plates, railings,

doors and other objects).

CDC guidelines on “Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility” if someone is suspected or confirmed to

have COVID-19 are as follows:

o

Close off areas used by the person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19.

▪

Responsible Parties do not necessarily need to close operations, if they can close off the

affected areas.

o

Open outside doors and windows to increase air circulation in the area.

o

Wait 24 hours before you clean or disinfect. If 24 hours is not feasible, wait as long as possible.

o

Clean and disinfect all areas used by the person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, such

as offices, bathrooms, common areas, and shared equipment.

o

Once the area has been appropriately disinfected, it can be opened for use.

o

▪

Anyone without close or proximate contact with the person suspected or confirmed to have

COVID-19 can return to the area immediately after disinfection.

▪

Refer to DOH’s “Interim Guidance for Public and Private Employees Returning to Work

Following COVID-19 Infection or Exposure“ for information on “close or proximate” contacts.

If more than seven days have passed since the person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19

visited or used the facility, additional cleaning and disinfection is not necessary, but routine

cleaning and disinfection should continue.

•

For funeral related services, Responsible Parties must prohibit touching, hugging, or kissing the body

of a deceased person who had confirmed or suspected COVID-19 per CDC guidance, “Funeral

Guidance for Individuals and Families.”

•

Responsible Parties must prohibit shared food and beverages (e.g. self-serve meals and beverages).

D. Phased Reopening

•

Responsible Parties are encouraged to phase-in reopening activities so as to allow for operational

issues to be resolved before production or work activities return to normal levels. Responsible Parties

should consider limiting the number of staff members and volunteers, hours, and number of

7

- App. 299 7-

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-12 Filed 10/08/20 Page 9 of 11 PageID #: 171

attendees available to be served when first reopening so as to provide operations with the ability to

adjust to the changes.

D. Communications Plan

•

Responsible Parties must affirm that they have reviewed and understand the state-issued industry

guidelines, and that they will implement them.

•

Responsible Parties should develop a communications plan for employees, volunteers, or

congregants, that includes applicable instructions, training, signage, and a consistent means to

provide staff members with information. Responsible Parties may consider developing webpages, text

and email groups, and social media.

III. PROCESSES

A. Screening and Testing

•

Responsible Parties must implement mandatory daily health screening practices for employees, faith

leaders and volunteers. Responsible Parties are encouraged to offer optional health screenings for

attendees.

o

Screening practices may be performed remotely (e.g. by telephone or electronic survey), before

the person arrives to the building, to the extent possible; or may be performed on site.

o

Screening should be coordinated to prevent person from intermingling in close or proximate

contact with each other prior to completion of the screening.

o

At a minimum, screening must be completed using a questionnaire that determines whether the

person has:

(a) knowingly been in close or proximate contact in the past 14 days with anyone who has

tested positive for COVID-19 or who has or had symptoms of COVID-19;

(b) tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days; and/or

(c) has experienced any symptoms of COVID-19 in the past 14 days.

•

Refer to CDC guidance on “Symptoms of Coronavirus” for the most up to date information on

symptoms associated with COVID-19.

•

Responsible Parties must require a person to immediately disclose if and when their responses to any

of the aforementioned questions changes, such as if they begin to experience symptoms, including

during or outside of work hours.

•

In addition to the screening questionnaire, temperature checks of employees may also be conducted

per U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or DOH guidelines. Responsible Parties are

prohibited from keeping records of individuals’ health data (e.g. the specific temperature data of an

individual), but are permitted to maintain records that confirm individuals were screened and the

result of such screening (e.g., pass/fail, cleared/not cleared).

•

Responsible Parties must ensure that any personnel performing screening activities, including

temperature checks, are appropriately protected from exposure to potentially infectious employees or

visitors entering the site. Personnel performing screening activities must be trained by individuals

who are familiar with CDC, DOH, and OSHA protocols.

8

- App. 300 8-

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-12 Filed 10/08/20 Page 10 of 11 PageID #: 172

•

Screeners must be provided and use PPE, including at a minimum, a face mask, and may include

gloves, a gown, and/or a face shield.

•

An individual who screens positive for COVID-19 symptoms must not be allowed to enter the

gathering place and must be sent home with instructions to contact their healthcare provider for

assessment and testing.

o

Responsible Parties should provide such individuals with information on healthcare and testing

resources.

o

Responsible Parties must immediately notify the state and local health department about the case

if test results are positive for COVID-19 and they are so informed by the affected person or

persons.

•

Responsible Parties should refer to DOH’s “Interim Guidance for Public and Private Employees

Returning to Work Following COVID-19 Infection or Exposure” regarding protocols and policies for

employees seeking to return to work after a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 or after the

employee had close or proximate contact with a person with COVID-19.

•

Responsible Parties must designate a central point of contact, which may vary by activity, location,

shift or day, responsible for receiving and attesting to having reviewed all questionnaires, with such

contact also identified as the party for individuals to inform if they later are experiencing COVID-19related symptoms, as noted on the questionnaire.

•

Responsible Parties must designate a site safety monitor whose responsibilities include continuous

compliance with all aspects of the site safety plan.

•

To the extent possible, Responsible Parties should maintain a log of every person, including

employees and visitors, who may have close or proximate contact with other individuals at the

gathering site or area; excluding deliveries that are performed with appropriate PPE or through

contactless means. The log should contain contact information, such that all contacts may be

identified, traced and notified in the event an employee, volunteer, or attendee is diagnosed with

COVID-19. Responsible Parties must cooperate with state and local health department contact tracing

efforts. The log is not required to maintain a list of attendees.

•

Responsible Parties cannot mandate that attendees complete a health screen or provide contact

information but may encourage attendees to do so. Responsible Parties may provide an option for

attendees to provide contact information so they can be logged and contacted for contact tracing, if

necessary.

B. Tracing and Tracking

•

Responsible Parties must notify the state and local health department immediately upon being

informed of any positive COVID-19 test result by an employee or faith leader at their site.

•

In the case of an employee or faith leader testing positive, the Responsible Parties must cooperate

with the state and local health department to trace all contacts in the workplace and notify the state

and local health department of all employees and visitors who entered the site dating back to 48

hours before the employee began experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or tested positive, whichever is

earlier, but maintain confidentiality as required by federal and state law and regulations.

•

State and local health departments will implement monitoring and movement restrictions of infected

or exposed persons including home isolation or quarantine.

9

- App. 301 9-

Case 1:20-cv-04834-KAM-RML Document 2-12 Filed 10/08/20 Page 11 of 11 PageID #: 173

•

Individuals who are alerted that they have come into close or proximate contact with a person with

COVID-19, and have been alerted via tracing, tracking or other mechanism, are required to selfreport to their employer at the time of alert and shall follow the protocol referenced above.

IV. OPERATOR PLANS

Responsible Parties must conspicuously post completed safety plans on site. The State has made

available a safety plan template to guide in developing plans to protect against the spread of COVID-19,

and such plans are adaptable for faith-based institutions to use.

Additional safety information, guidelines, and resources are available at:

New York State Department of Health Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Website

https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Coronavirus (COVID-19) Website

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Occupational Safety and Health Administration COVID-19 Website

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/

At the link below, affirm that you have read and understand your obligation to

operate in accordance with this guidance:

https://forms.ny.gov/s3/ny-forward-affirmation

10

- App. 30210-

Case 20-3572, Document 79, 10/29/2020, 2963260, Page1 of 19

20-3572-CV

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE SECOND CIRCUIT

AGUDATH ISRAEL OF AMERICA, AGUDATH ISRAEL OF KEW GARDEN

HILLS, AGUDATH ISRAEL OF MADISON, RABBI YISROEL REISMAN,

STEVEN SAPHIRSTEIN,

Plaintiffs-Appellants,

v.

ANDREW M. CUOMO, in his official capacity as Governor of New York,

Defendant-Appellee.

Appeal from the United States District Court

for the Eastern District of New York

No. 1:20-cv-04834-KAM

REPLY BRIEF IN SUPPORT OF EMERGENCY MOTION OF

PLAINTIFFS-APPELLANTS FOR INJUNCTION PENDING APPEAL

Misha Tseytlin

TROUTMAN PEPPER

HAMILTON SANDERS LLP

227 W. Monroe Street, Suite 3900

Chicago, IL 60606

Telephone: (608) 999-1240

misha.tseytlin@troutman.com

Avi Schick

W. Alex Smith

TROUTMAN PEPPER

HAMILTON SANDERS LLP

875 Third Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Telephone: (212) 704-6126

avi.schick@troutman.com

Attorneys for Plaintiffs-Appellants

October 29, 2020

- App. 303 -

Case 20-3572, Document 79, 10/29/2020, 2963260, Page2 of 19

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 1

ARGUMENT ............................................................................................................. 3

I. Plaintiffs Are Likely To Prevail On The Merits.............................................. 3

A. The Order Is Unlawful Under Masterpiece Cakeshop, Lukumi, And

Central Rabbinical ..................................................................................... 3

B. The Order Discriminates By Disfavoring “Houses of Worship” ............... 7

II. Injunctive Relief Is Necessary Under The Equities ....................................... 9

III. Plaintiffs Have Complied With Rule 8(a) .................................................... 11

CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................ 12

- App. 304 -

Case 20-3572, Document 79, 10/29/2020, 2963260, Page3 of 19

TABLE OF AUTHORITIES

Page(s)

Cases

Calvary Chapel Dayton Valley v. Sisolak,

140 S. Ct. 2603 (2020) ...................................................................................... 7, 8

Cent. Rabbinical Cong. of the U.S. & Can. v. N.Y.C. Dep’t of Health

& Mental Hygiene,

763 F.3d 183 (2d Cir. 2014) .....................................................................1, 2, 3, 4

Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye, Inc. v. City of Hialeah,

508 U.S. 520 (1993) ..................................................................................1, 3, 4, 5

Denver Bible Church v. Azar,

2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 195607 (D. Colo. Oct. 15, 2020) .................................... 8

Elrod v. Burns,

427 U.S. 347 (1976) .............................................................................................. 9

Emp’t Div., Dep’t of Human Res. of Ore. v. Smith,

494 U.S. 872 (1990) ............................................................................................ 10

Harvest Rock Church, Inc. v. Newsom,

__ F.3d __, 2020 U.S. App. LEXIS 31226 (9th Cir. Oct. 1, 2020) ...................... 9

Homans v. City of Albuquerque,

264 F.3d 1240 (10th Cir. 2001) .......................................................................... 11

In re Flint Water Cases,

960 F.3d 820 (6th Cir. 2020) .............................................................................. 12

Jacobson v. Massachusetts,

197 U.S. 11 (1905) ............................................................................................ 2, 4

Jolly v. Coughlin,

76 F.3d 468 (2d Cir. 1996) ................................................................................... 9

Maryville Baptist Church, Inc. v. Beshear,

957 F.3d 610 (6th Cir. 2020) ................................................................................ 8

- ii -

- App. 305 -

Case 20-3572, Document 79, 10/29/2020, 2963260, Page4 of 19

Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colo. Civil Rights Comm’n,

138 S. Ct. 1719 (2018) ..............................................................................1, 2, 3, 4

N.Y. Progress & Prot. PAC v. Walsh,

733 F.3d 483 (2d Cir. 2013) ............................................................................... 10

Planned Parenthood of Greater Tex. Surgical Health Servs. v. Abbott,

734 F.3d 406 (5th Cir. 2013) .............................................................................. 12

Roberts v. Neace,

958 F.3d 409 (6th Cir. 2020) ................................................................................ 7

Soos v. Cuomo,

2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 111808 (N.D.N.Y. June 26, 2020) ................................. 8

South Bay United Pentecostal Church v. Newsom,

140 S. Ct. 1613 (2020) ..............................................................................4, 7, 8, 9

Spell v. Edwards,

962 F.3d 175 (5th Cir. 2020) ................................................................................ 8

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, New York v. Cuomo,

No. 20-3590 (2d Cir.) ........................................................................................... 6

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, New York v. Cuomo,

No. 20-4844 (E.D.N.Y.) ................................................................................. 6, 10

Rules

Executive Order No. 202.68 .............................................................................passim

Fed. R. App. P. 8 ...................................................................................................... 11

Other Authorities

Carl Campanile, Cuomo Calls COVID-19 Resurgence an ‘UltraOrthodox’ Jewish Problem, NYPost (Oct. 9, 2020) ............................................. 3

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor Cuomo Announces Travel

Advisory Requiring 14-Day Quarantine, New York State (Oct. 27,

2020) ..................................................................................................................... 7

- iii -

- App. 306 -

Case 20-3572, Document 79, 10/29/2020, 2963260, Page5 of 19

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor Cuomo Updates New

Yorkers on State’s Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic, New

York State (Oct. 23, 2020) ................................................................................ 6, 7

Calculating Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2

(SARS-CoV-2) Laboratory Test Percent Positivity (Sept. 3, 2020)

This text is long and has been trimmed here. Open the source document for the complete record.

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.

A word about cookies

We need a few to keep you signed in and the library working. The rest help us see which pages people use and where they get stuck. They stay off unless you say yes.

Application — Agudath Israel of America, et al., Applicants v. Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of New York | Frix