New York Businesses Ordered to Require Masks Indoors or Vaccine Proof
The New York Times
Some Republican officials criticized the move, which Gov. Kathy Hochul labeled a “wake-up call” to areas where vaccination lags.
With New York State confronting a spike in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Friday that the state would require that masks be worn indoors at all public spaces that do not require vaccination for entry.
The requirement, which takes effect Monday, means that unless their employees check for proof of vaccination, offices, shops, restaurants and other businesses must demand that patrons be masked. Those that do not comply could face civil and criminal penalties, including fines of up to $1,000 per violation, and local health departments are responsible for enforcement.
The move may not have a drastic effect in places like New York City, where those seeking to eat inside restaurants or attend theater performances already have to show vaccination proof. But it is likely to have a significant effect in some rural and conservative pockets of the state where vaccination rates are lagging and such requirements have not been imposed.
