Beginning Monday, people in all indoor public spaces across New York state that currently do not require proof of vaccination for entry will have to wear masks.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the mandate Friday.
The decision follows the worst COVID-19 surge the state has seen in more than half a year.
The governor says the initiative is due to concern over case rates and rising hospitalizations.
“And I never wanted a situation where the beds are being filled with people on ventilators who are very sick because of COVID, and there are people with other life-threatening conditions like heart attacks are turned down necessary health coverage,” Hochul said. “So I don’t want to get to the point where it’s too late. And I wanted to do everything I could without being overly burdensome on businesses. And That’s the balance that I struck with this.”
Hochul says the rules will be reassessed next month, but in the meantime businesses that do not comply will be subject to a $1,000 fine.
The order will be reassessed on Jan. 15.
