This New York County Signed The Nation's First Face Mask Ban Into Law

The Nassau County mask ban is in response to “antisemitic incidents, often perpetrated by those in masks.”

Lawmakers in New York’s Nassau County enacted the nation’s first ban on wearing face masks in public on Wednesday.

The Mask Transparency Act, which was signed into law by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, makes it illegal for people to wear face masks “for the purposes of concealing an individual’s identity in public places,” WABC-TV in New York City reported. Those who violate the law could face a fine of $1,000, up to a year in jail, or both.

The law was proposed in response to “antisemitic incidents, often perpetrated by those in masks” following Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, which prompted Israel to launch an ongoing attack on Palestinians in Gaza, ABC News reported.

The ban, which takes effect in the Long Island county immediately, is aimed at those who intend to commit crimes while hiding their face, and Nassau police will make the determination on intent, Blakeman said, according to NBC News.

“We’re not looking to lock up innocent people,” Blakeman said at a news conference. “[Police] can sniff out somebody who’s lying in most circumstances. And this gives them the ability to stop them and ask them, ‘What are you doing?’”