New York state lawmakers on Monday urged Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul to enact protections approved under a measure meant to put safety guidelines in place for workers to guard against contracting contagious illnesses like COVID-19. 

The measure, known as the NY HERO Act, was approved earlier this year in the state Legislature and signed into law by outgoing Gov. Andrew Cuomo. But the protections and provisions contained in the new law have not been impelemented by the state. 

“While the outgoing administration has been distracted, New York’s challenges have not gone away. The delay in HERO Act implementation has resulted in preventable danger of coronavirus spread in workplaces,” said Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris. “The new administration needs to act quickly. Too many workers already sacrificed their health for our community’s benefit. The New York HERO Act recognizes their efforts by giving workers the tools to protect themselves while on the job.”

Hochul is set to take office on Tuesday. The push to implement the law comes as the spread of the highly contagious delta variant has led to a spike in COVID-19 cases this summer and now more than 2,000 people in New York are hospitalized due to the virus.

The law requires the state through the Department of Labor and the Department of Health to put health and safety standards in place, including regulations for testing, personal protective equipment, social distancing, hygiene and engineering controls. The measure was supported by labor unions, but business organizations had raised concerns with the cost of the regulations. 

“The soon to be former Governor’s administration has largely failed to implement laws passed by the legislature for months now,” said Assemblywoman Karines Reyes. “Incoming Governor Hochul must immediately take action and ensure that the NY HERO Act is enforced by the Department of Health. With the Delta variant on the rise in our state, we must have protection plans for employees in place as soon as possible.”