New York's mask mandate kicks back in for indoor spaces six months after it was lifted.
The mandate comes as officials combat a surge in COVID cases and hospitalizations. Governor Kathy Hochul announced the reinstatement of the mandate Friday, saying masks are required in all indoor public spaces unless the businesses or venues require proof of vaccination. Violators could face criminal and civil penalties, such as a fine of up to $1,000.
The mandate will be in effect until January 15, with implementation left in the hands of local counties.
"We're entering a time of uncertainty and we could either plateau here or our cases could get out of control," Hochul said during a public appearance in New York City, according to the Associated Press.
Republicans in some counties, such as Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro, Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell, Rockland County Executive Ed Day, said they wouldn't divert local health department resources into the implementation of the mandate.
However, on Monday, Hochul said she hopes and expects a majority of local health departments to implement the mandate. She asked for help from disinclined county executives who are requesting help from the state regarding the surge in hospitalizations.
"It's a very simple temporary measure which is driven by our need to get this under control," said Hochul.
For the first time since April 20, state COVID hospitalizations surpassed 3,600, according to NBC New York. Just in the last month, COVID admissions are up 92 percent and the daily death tolls exceeded 60 on Sunday for the first time in over half a year. On Monday, it decreased back to the mid-40's.
The state said that using masks can reduce the risk of COVID infection by around 70 percent, NBC New York reported.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city would implement the mandate in a "cooperative way" with an emphasis on educating and working with business owners.
"We don't want to penalize people unless there is overt resistance and unwillingness to cooperate, and that's very, very rare," de Blasio said at news briefing.
At the Farmhouse Tap + Tavern in Altamont outside of Albany, operators told customers they were opting for a mask policy.
"This goes for everyone at the bar or a table. Once you're seated, you're more than welcome to take your mask off," the restaurant posted on Facebook. "We feel this is a lot easier, and less invasive than asking guests to share their vaccination status with us."
Although past polls have shown many New Yorkers support mask mandates, some Republican elected officials have said educating the public would be a better use of resources than enforcing a mask mandate.
New York enacted a mask mandate at the beginning of the pandemic in April 2020 that ended in June 2021 for vaccinated individuals.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
