Hochul Reinstates Mask Mandate

On Friday Governor Kathy Hochul  announced that her administration  will be reinstating the state wide mask mandate put in place during the early days of the Covid 19 pandemic. Starting Dec.13 2021, New Yorkers will be required to wear facial coverings in all indoor public places unless businesses or venues implement a vaccine requirement. The mandate was reinstated in response to a winter surge of Covid cases that has led to statewide increase in hospitalizations, according to the governor’s office. Hochul’s decision is in line with CDC recommendations and deemed necessary by the State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett.  The new business and venue requirements extend to both patrons and staff and will remain in effect until Jan. 15, 2022, after which the State will re-evaluate based on current conditions. During the announcement, the governor herself laminated the return to stricter public health guidelines while arguing their necessity.

“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. We shouldn’t have reached the point where we are confronted with a winter surge, especially with the vaccine at our disposal, and I share many New Yorkers’ frustration that we are not past this pandemic yet,” Governor Hochul said. “I want to thank the more than 80 percent of New Yorkers who have done the right thing to get fully vaccinated. If others follow suit, these measures will no longer be necessary.I have warned for weeks that additional steps could be necessary, and now we are at that point based upon three metrics: Increasing cases, reduced hospital capacity, and insufficient vaccination rates in certain areas,”