Faced with a winter spike in COVID-19 transmission, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced Friday that the use of the mask will be mandatory in all indoor public places unless a vaccination certificate is required to enter.
Hochul said the decision to wear the mask is based on the seven-day case rate and the increase in hospitalizations. New York imposed that rule early in the pandemic, in April 2020, which lasted for more than a year.
The new rule, which also applies to staff, will be in effect from Monday through January 15, when a reevaluation will take place.
“We are entering a period of uncertainty and we can contain the transmission or lose controlHochul said at a public event in New York City.
States with similar mask standards include Washington, Oregon, Illinois, New Mexico, Nevada, and Hawaii.
New York recorded more than 68,000 positive tests in the seven-day period ending Wednesday. The peak is highest in parts of the north of the state, where 75% of COVID deaths have occurred in hospitals since August.
“We are heading in an upward direction that does not seem sustainable to me”Said the governor.
Hochul announced the rule at a social services agency in Manhattan where most people wear the mask. The city requires its use in restaurants, entertainment venues and indoor gyms, so the new rule does not affect them.
Several upstate counties have long enforced their own mandatory mask regulations, including Erie County, which includes the city of Buffalo.
Hochul said violators would face civil and criminal penalties, including a maximum fine of $ 1,000. The surveillance will be in charge of the local health authorities.
.
Ricardo is a renowned author and journalist, known for his exceptional writing on top-news stories. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he is known for his ability to deliver breaking news and insightful analysis on the most pressing issues of the day.
