The newest New York State mask mandate is in effect again. The vax or mask mandate is in effect until at least January 15 as a way to combat a winter surge of COVID cases, Gov. Hochul says, without needing to resort to another shutdown.
Many local stores had already announced that they would be adhering to the new mandates:
The state won’t be enforcing the mask mandate that went into effect today, Gov. Hochul said, adding she “hopes” local counties will enforce it. Ultimately it will be up to businesses and county governments to enforce, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Monday.
Local health departments would be tasked with enforcement, potentially even handing out $1,000 fines. But already some Republican county executives in the state say they aren’t going to enforce it, including in Dutchess and Rockland counties, as well as incoming Nassau Executive Bruce Blakeman.
Nassau County Executive-elect Bruce Blakeman called the mandate a “shotgun approach.”
“Over 97% of Nassau County adults have been vaccinated with at least their first dose and our outstanding health care facilities are not even close to capacity. While we continue to monitor this health care concern it is clear that Nassau County is not in crisis and State government should not paint us with the same broad brush as the rest of the State. I’m hopeful that the State will allow local determination rather than a shotgun approach.”
Republican Rockland County Executive Ed Day said the governor’s staff was unable to provide detailed information about the new requirement. “I told the governor’s staff that we cannot and will not enforce this requirement as it currently stands,” Day said in a prepared release.
“My decision would be to move the people from the health department who are vaccinating children and others right now with a live-saving vaccine, move them to go walk around to different places to figure out whether people are masking up or not. That would be utterly reckless on my part and I will not do that,” Day said.
This measure is effective until Jan. 15, 2022, after which the State will “re-evaluate based on current conditions” & allows NYS to get through the “Holiday-Season Shopping”.
