NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — New Yorkers must still keep their masks on in schools and businesses that do not check for vaccine status while the mandate is challenged in appellate court, the court ruled on Monday.
The decision comes following a back-and-forth on mask requirements that began after a Long Island judge upended the mandate last week. The mask mandate was reinstated, albeit temporarily, the next day.
Gov. Hochul and her team are in the process of appealing the Long Island judge’s decision and masking will still be required in the meantime.
“My primary responsibility as Governor is to keep New Yorkers safe,” Hochul said in a statement. “Mask regulations keep our schools and businesses safe and open, protect vulnerable New Yorkers, and are critical tools as we work to get through this winter surge.”
Hochul issued the mask mandate in December in the midst of a COVID-19 surge. It is set to expire on Feb. 10 after it was extended last Friday.
Attorney General Letitia James also tweeted about the win. "A court has ruled that New York's mask mandate may stay in place as my office's appeal in court continues," James said. "We will always do everything in our power to protect New Yorkers during the COVID-19 pandemic."
“Thanks to our efforts, including mask regulations, cases are declining and we are seeing major progress in the fight against COVID-19,” Hochul added in the statement.
Despite the state’s December masking order, several New York district leaders have said they will not enforce the mandate.
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