New York Ends COVID Paid Sick Leave

The Situation Report | August 4, 2025

New York’s COVID-19 Sick Leave Law (amending N.Y. Lab. L. §196-b) expired on July 31, 2025.

Since March 2020, employers have been required to provide at least five or 14 calendar days (depending on employer size) of sick leave (in most cases, paid) for employees unable to work because they are subject to a mandatory order of isolation issued by New York State, the Department of Health, a local board of health, or any government entity duly authorized to issue such order due to COVID-19 and are unable to work from home.

New York employers will no longer be mandated to replace the income of individuals impacted by the COVID virus. Instead, employers can manage absences related to COVID as they would any other respiratory ailment.

Employees may still be eligible for paid leave or benefits under the New York Paid Family Leave Law, New York’s Paid Sick Leave Law, or New York City’s Earned Sick and Safe Time Law for reasons related to COVID-19, including for their own diagnosis, care, or treatment or to care for a covered family member requiring diagnosis, care, or treatment

HCANYS will keep you informed if there are any further changes to the law.