On July 28, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano announced that all municipal and Yonkers School District employees must provide one-time proof of COVID-19 vaccination by Labor Day or undergo weekly testing.
“We have fought long and hard to combat this pandemic and this is not the time to back down as this virus evolves,” said Mayor Spano. “Yonkers must continue on its road to recovery and that means ensuring that our workforce is protected and protects the residents we serve. We are in this together.”
The mandate comes as COVID-19 cases resurge across the nation along with the rise of the virus’ delta variant, particularly among those who have not been vaccinated. Prior to today’s announcement, the City of Yonkers did not require proof of vaccination or require frequent testing among employees.
Similar to the recent policy announced by New York City, Mayor Spano also said that all unvaccinated employees must wear a mask indoors at their workstation, while vaccinated employees who do not interact with the public are currently not required to wear masks at their workstations, though they may choose to continue to do so. City and Yonkers Board of Education workers who interact with the public including students and their families, must continue to wear masks at all times regardless of vaccination status. In addition, all employees must still wear a face covering when entering the buildings, travelling to their workspace, and in elevators. Face coverings are required for all visitors while in any city or school facility.
Yonkers’ 2,000 full-time municipal employees must show proof of vaccination or undergo routine testing by Labor Day, while the 3,500 full-time Yonkers Board of Education employees must do so by September 1, the start of the 2021-2022 school year.
After Mayor Spano’s announcement, the Yonkers Board of Education adopted a resolution to comply with the vaccination mandate. At a special meeting of the Yonkers Board of Education on July 28, the Trustees adopted COVID-19 Protocol Resolution 4.1 in compliance with the City of Yonkers Workforce COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate issued today by Mayor Mike Spano. The resolution was adopted to protect the safety of students and employees by preventing the resurgence of COVID-19 cases and in particular the COVID-19 Delta variant.
“The health and safety of our students, employees and families was our primary concern in every decision and action taken by the Trustees throughout this pandemic,” stated Board of Education Vice President Dr. Rosalba Corrado Del Vecchio. “Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin M. Quezada successful implementation of the Board’s policies and strict adherence to CDC, New York State Departments of Education (NYSED) and Health (NYSDOH) guidelines, as well as Westchester County Department of Health (WCDOH) guidance enabled our schools to hold in-person instruction since October 2020.”
Dr. Edwin M. Quezada, Superintendent of Schools added, “the only way that all of our students can return to 5-days of in-person instruction is to follow the guidance of medical professionals that includes vaccination and testing. We will be relentless and continue to pursue opportunities for vaccines and testing as we did last school year. With our employees protected we can restore and renew our learning community, thereby providing our children and families hope for a brighter future.”
Yonkers Board of Education employees and students must continue to wear masks at all times regardless of vaccination status while at school. The resolution states, that on or before September 1, 2021, all employees of the Board of Education must be vaccinated or tested on a regular basis. All employees must provide proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test result based on a COVID-19 test administered within the prior seven-day period on a regular basis in accordance with the procedures and protocols implemented by the Superintendent of Schools and/or his designee.
NY Governor Andrew Cuomo has also announced that all State employees must be vaccinated by Labor Day or undergo weekly COVID testing. President Joe Biden made the same announcement for all Federal Employees.
