New York imposes statewide mask mandate as Covid-19 surges
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- Updated: Dec. 10, 2021, 4:15 p.m.
- Published: Dec. 10, 2021, 10:05 a.m.
Syracuse, N.Y. — New York is imposing a statewide mask wearing mandate in indoor public places.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the action this morning.
The action comes in response to rising levels of Covid and increasing hospitalizations.
The mandate takes effect Monday and will remain in place until Jan. 15, when the state re-evaluates whether it’s still necessary based on conditions.
Masks must be worn in all indoor places unless businesses or other venues require patrons to show proof of vaccination. The indoor mask requirement applies to all people ages 2 and older.
The new rules will have no effect on masking policies at K-12 schools and colleges in the state.
READ MORE: Onondaga County won’t impose mask mandate until businesses better understand rules
Since Thanksgiving the statewide seven-day average Covid case rate has increased 43% and hospitalizations have increased 29%
“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,” Hochul said in a prepared statement.
Upstate New York is being hammered hard by the surge. Many Upstate hospitals are operating at 100% capacity.
New York lifted a statewide mask mandate in June as vaccination rates increased and Covid cases fell significantly.
Prior to today’s announcement, the state had left the decision to impose mask mandates up to local county officials. Erie County imposed a mask mandate Nov. 23. Oneida County announced a mask mandate Thursday, four days after two cases of the new omnicon Covid variant were detected in the county.
The state said businesses and venues requiring proof of vaccination can accept the digital Excelsior Pass, Excelsior Pass Plus issued in New York and SMART Health Cards issued in other states.
The state is leaving it up to local health departments to enforce the new requirements.
People and businesses that ignore the new requirements could face fines of up to $1,000 for each violation.
“We shouldn’t have reached the point where we are confronted with a winter surge, especially with the vaccine at our disposal,” Hochul said.
More than 80% of New Yorkers are fully vaccinated.
“If others follow suit, these measures will no longer be necessary,” Hochul said.
James T. Mulder covers health and higher education. Have a news tip? Contact him at (315) 470-2245 or jmulder@syracuse.com