Masks Must Be Worn Within All County Buildings

KINGSTON – County Executive Pat Ryan signed an Executive Order requiring all Ulster County employees, regardless of vaccination status, to wear masks indoors effective immediately. The order also requires members of the public to wear a mask when entering County-owned buildings and facilities. Additionally, based on the current CDC recommendations and a rise in positive cases brought on by the COVID-19 Delta variant, Ulster County Commissioner of Health Dr. Carol Smith issued updated guidance that strongly recommends all members of the public wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status.

“As we continue to see COVID surge across Ulster County, we must bolster our safety protocols to ensure public health. For the safety of our residents and our staff, we are now requiring that everyone wear masks inside all County buildings,” County Executive Pat Ryan said. “As the science has consistently shown, masks help stop the spread of COVID-19 and ultimately save lives. Given the increased risk to all Ulster County residents, I support our Commissioner of Health in recommending that all members of the public wear masks indoors to slow COVID transmission. And I am once again asking all residents who have not yet been vaccinated to do so immediately.”

Due to the rapid spread of the Delta variant, Ulster County today reported 576 active cases of COVID-19. Last week, Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan announced that Ulster County will be reactivating the former Best Buy POD site at the Hudson Valley Mall to administer booster shots starting next month. Additionally, Ulster County is currently partnering with SUNY New Paltz and SUNY Ulster to offer vaccines to unvaccinated students by hosting vaccination pods on campus. All SUNY students looking to participate in in-person classes are required to be vaccinated.

To date, 78.9% of Ulster County residents over the age of 18 have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. It is not anticipated that a vaccine will be approved for children under twelve until late fall or early winter. For information on how you can get vaccinated, visit VaccinateUlster.com.