New York rolls out mask mandate for businesses that don’t require vaccines

New York’s Democratic governor announced sweeping new coronavirus restrictions on Friday as part of an effort to “prevent business disruption” during a winter surge of COVID-19.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said that masks will be required to be worn in all indoor public places unless businesses or venues implement a vaccine requirement. Beginning Monday, all indoor businesses will have to ask patrons for proof of vaccination or require people over the age of 2 to wear a mask.

The new measure will stay in effect until Jan. 15, 2022, when the state will “re-evaluate based on current conditions,” the governor’s office said in a press release.

“As Governor, my two top priorities are to protect the health of New Yorkers and to protect the health of our economy. The temporary measures I am taking today will help accomplish this through the holiday season,” Hochul said.

New York officials reported that since Thanksgiving, the statewide seven-day average case rate has increased by 43%, and COVID-19 hospitalizations have increased by 29%. According to the New York Times coronavirus tracker, there were nearly 10,000 average new daily cases reported in New York last week. – READ MORE