What does NY's mask mandate mean for holiday gatherings, businesses?
Sarah Taddeo
A statewide mask mandate that took effect Monday requires residents to mask up in indoor spaces, signaling a key change in New York's COVID-19 protocol amid holiday shopping, dining and family gatherings.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the measure Dec. 10 in a move to curb spiking wintertime COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations — the latter increased by 29% statewide since Thanksgiving, according to the governor's office.
"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," Hochul said. "As governor, my two top priorities are to protect the health of New Yorkers and to protect the health of our economy."
Hochul said in recent weeks that she'd take more restrictive statewide measures if COVID-19 rates didn't slow down across New York, but she initially left the decision up to leaders at the local level. Some county executives declared states of emergency or implemented their own indoor mask mandates.
The mandate is an echo of when masks were first implemented for use in public spaces in April 2020 by Hochul's predecessor, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Those mask requirements were loosened earlier this year for vaccinated people, in accordance with CDC guidance.
Here's what you need to know about New York's most current mandate and how it may affect businesses and holiday activities.
Where do I need to wear a mask in New York?
All indoor spaces across New York, meaning grocery and retail stores, restaurants, bars, gyms, movie theaters, entertainment venues and offices. "Indoor spaces" is defined as any space that is not a private residence, Hochul said on Twitter.
In other words, there are no state requirements on family gatherings at private homes. The Department of Health also continues to recommend vaccinations for everyone ages 5 or over.
There is one exception to the mask mandate for businesses though.
What's the exception to New York's mask mandate?
If a business or public space has a vaccine requirement for entry, it does not have to implement a mask requirement.
However, unvaccinated individuals are still required to wear masks and socially distance in all indoor spaces, as well as kids ages 2 to 5, who are not yet eligible for vaccination.
Previous masking requirements will continue for everyone in pre-K to grade 12 schools, public transit, airports, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, nursing homes, and health care settings, per CDC guidance, according to the governor's office.
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When does New York's mask mandate end?
The mask mandate has a tentative ending date of Jan. 15, 2022. At that point, the state will reevaluate the mandate's necessity based on current conditions, Hochul said Friday.
What about social distancing and gathering requirements?
There are no additional gathering or social distancing requirements implemented with the mask mandate.
State guidance put out in the spring required social distancing among unvaccinated people and business patrons, while also authorizing businesses to require universal social distancing if they chose to do so.
How do local rules factor in?
The state mandate will act as an umbrella measure over other local measures already in place, such as indoor mask mandates in Erie and Oneida counties.
For example, in its mask mandate announced this week, Oneida County offered the option to forego masks if temperature checks were conducted at any indoor social gathering outside of private residences. That option would be rendered moot by the statewide mask requirement in indoor settings.
How are sporting events affected by New York's mask mandate?
Stadiums that require proof of vaccination will not need to require masks, although many still strongly encourage mask wearing. Others, such as the Carrier Dome at Syracuse University, require masks in addition to vaccinations.
Venues that do not require proof of vaccination must implement a masking policy for attendees and employees.
What about restaurants?
Unless a restaurant or bar requires proof of vaccination for entry, patrons and employees will be required to wear masks indoors unless they are eating or drinking.
How will this mandate be enforced?
Local health departments are being asked to enforce the masking requirements, but Hochul and her office didn't offer further details on what that would look like.
Violating the measure could come with penalties, including a maximum fine of $1,000 for each violation, according to the governor's office.
Local leaders have questioned how they will enforce a mask mandate in their communities, where residents are fatigued by nearly two years of the COVID-19 pandemic and often split along ideological lines regarding vaccinations, masks and other COVID-19 restrictions.
"Now the masking has come back into play, it's a matter of enforcement, and it's almost impossible to enforce," said Chautauqua County Executive Paul M. Wendel Jr. in an interview with the USA Today Network.
"There are those who do it, and those who don't," Wendel said, referring to mask-wearing among residents. "Are we going to have the police enforce this?"
What else do you want to know?
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Sarah Taddeo is an enterprise reporter for USA Today Network's New York State Team. Got a story tip or comment? Contact Sarah at STADDEO@Gannett.com or (585) 258-2774. Follow her on Twitter @Sjtaddeo. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers. Please consider becoming a digital subscriber.