On September 6, 2021, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that the commissioner of health designated COVID-19 as a highly contagious communicable disease that presents a serious risk of harm to the public health under New York State’s HERO Act. Employers must activate the infectious disease exposure prevention plans that were adopted in August 2021. Additionaly the deadline for distribution of the model safety plan is September 4, 2021. Find our more in The Gold Book, NY HERO Act.