General COVID-19 Non-Clinical Policies
As part of our ongoing efforts to contain and effectively treat patients diagnosed with COVID-19, we are instituting a number of system-wide policies that will impact our staff, patients, visitors and students. These changes are being implemented, on an ongoing basis, in accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, as well as the NY State and local Departments of Health, to ensure quick and appropriate response to this situation.
COVID-19 Safety Guidelines
Mask use is encouraged but no longer mandatory for staff, patients or visitors in public and clinical settings across Mount Sinai campuses. The exception to this policy is inpatient units, clinics and practices where the majority of patients are immunocompromised, which includes but is not limited to Oncology, Hematology and Transplant, and in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Masking is still required for anyone with a respiratory viral infection if not isolated.
Anyone who prefers to mask may do so and surgical masks will continue to be available at entrances.
The safety and comfort of patients and visitors is our highest priority and any patient or visitor request for staff to wear a mask will be granted.
These policies may be revised if COVID-19 rates increase or the regulatory environment changes.
(Updated 4/5/23)
COVID-19 Testing FAQs for Employees and Students
Updated 1/6/22
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Where can I get tested for COVID-19 when I return from travel?
Fully vaccinated health care workers do not need a negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR test to return to work after travel. Mount Sinai faculty and staff members, students, and trainees who wish to be tested should use the asymptomatic testing program. You can also find testing sites through the NYS testing site locator. -
Can I go to a Mount Sinai emergency room for asymptomatic COVID-19 testing?
The Mount Sinai emergency rooms should not be the primary source of testing for asymptomatic employees. Please see above for testing locations. -
Can I work/attend classes while I am waiting for my test results if I am symptomatic or had a high-risk exposure?
If you are symptomatic, you may not work or attend classes in person. It is important that you quarantine until yo their supervisor.
If you are asymptomatic and had a high-risk exposure, you should work and attend class. And you must do this:
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Perform SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing no sooner than 2 days after the exposure. If the result is negative, test again 5 days after the exposure.
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Monitor for symptoms for 14 days after the exposure. If you develop symptoms, immediately notify your supervisor, leave the work or school setting, and contact EHS/Student Health for testing.
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Mask at all times and social distance when you are on site.
Lectures, Events and Meetings Policy
Full Meeting and Event Policy
The Mount Sinai Health System, including the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, allows onsite in-person meetings. Conferences, meetings and events with outside guests are permitted at this time. Guests must adhere to all applicable visitor and screening rules. Masking rules align with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and New York State Department of Health designation for community risk. You may check the community risk here.
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When the meeting/event is in a county designated as low or medium risk for COVID-19, masks may be removed in non-clinical, non-public areas. Anyone who prefers to mask may do so.
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When the meeting/event is in a county designated as high risk, masks must be worn at all times.
There are no size limits on Mount Sinai sponsored events or meetings. For non-Mount Sinai sponsored events, no more than 100 people are permitted to attend an event. Exceptions may be granted.
*For all events and meetings, the policy is subject to change dependent on COVID-19 rates.
(Updated 9/6/23)
Volunteer Policy
Volunteer Policy – Effective March 24, 2022
The following policy guidelines are in place for volunteers, students from other institutions and observers within the Mount Sinai Health System (MSHS). All volunteers and students from other institutions permitted onsite at MSHS must comply with COVID-19 Safety Guidelines. Local supervisors will be responsible for overseeing compliance with infection prevention guidelines. Hospital Presidents or Chief Medical Officers may impose site-specific restrictions and departmentally led programs may also impose programmatic-specific restrictions. All volunteers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (2 weeks past the 2nd dose of the Pfizer/Moderna vaccine or the 1st dose of J&J). Exemptions from COVID-19 vaccination will not be considered.
Currently Registered Volunteers:
Volunteer programming is resumed. The pace of re-opening depends on site-specific capabilities. Employee Health Service (EHS) clearance is required for all volunteers.
New Applications:
Applications for new volunteers are resumed. See other detail in Currently Registered Volunteers above.
Students:
MSHS continues to honor its commitment to students of other institutions currently participating in an educational experience for academic credit at MSHS. All programs offering experiences for academic credit should have an agreement in place between MSHS and the sponsoring institution. Please email the Contract Policy and Review Office (CPRO) at CPRO@mssm.edu for an agreement template and details about how to execute the agreement. Departments/programs are also now permitted to host students who seek a less structured experience which isn’t directly tied to academic credit. Students must be fully vaccinated prior to starting onsite activities.
For any student visa-related questions, please contact Hamel Vyas the International Personnel office at Hamel.vyas@mountsinai.org. Please note that foreign nationals are not permitted to volunteer unless they are on a F-1 student visa and have obtained permission from their sponsoring school to engage as per their required Curricular Practical Training (CPT) as well as a CPT endorsement on their I-20. A foreign national enrolled in a US accredited school who does not have a F-1 student visa, may still volunteer IF the activity is required by their curriculum and their school and would need to provide a letter confirming that this is required activity. In both cases there must be an agreement in place with Mount Sinai and the school.
Observers:
Programs or requests for individual domestic or international observers remain suspended.
Volunteer Office Contacts:
MSH: Shari Kaplan (shari.kaplan@mountsinai.org)
MSQ: Ana M. Rodriguez (ana_m.rodriguez@mountsinai.org)
MSBI and NYEE: Christine Pescatore (cpescatore@NYEE.EDU)
MSW: Andres Moreira (Andres.moreira@mountsinai.org)
MSM: Amy Bush (amy.bush@mountsinai.org)
MSSN: Anne Marie Fernandez (AnneMarie.Fernandez@snch.org)
MS Brooklyn: Emilie Shore (Emilie.Shore@mountsinai.org)
Vendors, Consultants and Press Policy
Requirement for Vendors, Contractors and Other Guests of Mount Sinai
All vendors, contractors and other guests coming to a Mount Sinai location must be fully vaccinated to be onsite. This includes but is not limited to: press, photographers/videographers, contractors, supply and construction managers, contractors, architects and engineers, subcontractors all trades and other guests. There are NO exceptions and applies to all Mount Sinai locations (inpatient and ambulatory).
Vaccination status must be verified by the company working on the Mount Sinai Health System site. Managers must determine the best way to monitor compliance (including Vendormate, eBuilder etc). Proof of vaccination status should be available to present upon arrival to a Mount Sinai location.
(Updated 12/27/21)