In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, New York State had enacted a law requiring covered employers to provide paid sick leave and job-related protections to their employees subject to a COVID-19 mandatory or precautionary order of quarantine or isolation (COVID-19 PSL). It has now been announced that COVID-19 PSL Law will expire July 31, 2025.

Background

On May 11, 2023, public officials declared the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Thereafter, updates to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance concerning quarantines and isolations adjusted the recommended isolation period for COVID-19. New York employers have been questioning whether they were still required to provide COVID-19 PSL to eligible employees and, if so, when and for how long.

While New York’s Governor Kathy Hochul had previously called for a complete sunset of the COVID-19 PSL Law as of July 31, 2024, the FY 2025 New York State Executive Budget established an end date for the COVID-19 PSL Law as of July 31, 2025. Through July 31, 2025, covered employers must continue to provide job protected COVID-19 PSL for up to three orders of quarantine or isolation per qualifying employee.

While New York’s COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Law is expiring on July 31, 2025, eligible employees will still thereafter be able to use available New York State and/or New York City Paid Sick Leave for permitted uses related to COVID-19.

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