BUFFALO, N.Y. — Catholic Health workers who request religious exemptions toward the COVID-19 vaccine mandate are being allowed to work until the courts make their final rulings.

The health care company said Friday it supports Gov. Kathy Hochul's decision to move ahead with the vaccine mandate for health care workers.

But that mandate does not give religious exemptions.

Because of that, the state's plan to enforce the mandate after Sept. 27 is on hold until at least Oct. 12 or when the courts decide whether the state has the right to preclude religious exemptions.

Catholic Health workers who are unvaccinated have until Sunday to get a medical exemption or request a religious exemption.

If they don't, they will be placed on an unpaid leave of absence starting Monday.

After 30 days, those employees could be let go if they don't meet the requirement.