New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced Friday that Empire State residents will be required to wear masks — again — in all indoor public spaces where patrons are not required to show proof of vaccination starting Monday.
In a press conference on Friday, Hochul scolded New Yorkers saying that she has “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.”
“I share New Yorkers’ frustration that we are not past this pandemic, but the winter surge is here & we must take action,” Hochul tweeted. “Starting Monday through January 15, businesses will have the option to implement either a vaccine or mask requirement.”
I share New Yorkers’ frustration that we are not past this pandemic, but the winter surge is here & we must take action.
Starting Monday through January 15, businesses will have the option to implement either a vaccine or mask requirement. 1/
— Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) December 10, 2021
“My two top priorities are to protect the health of New Yorkers and to protect the health of our economy,” she added. “The measures I’m announcing today will help accomplish this through the holiday season.”
My two top priorities are to protect the health of New Yorkers and to protect the health of our economy. The measures I’m announcing today will help accomplish this through the holiday season. 2/
— Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) December 10, 2021
“To the more than 80% of New Yorkers who have done the right thing to get fully vaccinated: Thank you,” she stated. “Let’s get more New Yorkers vaccinated so we can put this pandemic in the rearview mirror.”
To the more than 80% of New Yorkers who have done the right thing to get fully vaccinated: Thank you. Let’s get more New Yorkers vaccinated so we can put this pandemic in the rear view mirror. 3/3
— Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) December 10, 2021
New York’s health commissioner, Dr. Mary T. Bassett, also told media Friday, “Community spread requires a community-minded solution, as the omicron variant emerges and the overwhelmingly dominant delta variant continues to circulate. We have the tools we need to protect against the virus – and now we must ensure we use them.”
“There are tools each individual can use, and there are actions we can take as government,” Bassett continued, “Getting vaccinated protects you, and wearing a mask is how we will better protect each other. Both vaccination and mask-wearing are needed to slow this COVID-19 winter surge.”
The mandate notice comes just days after outgoing New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Monday that all private sector employments must be vaccinated starting December 27. De Blasio also announced that children between the ages of 5-12 years old would need to show proof of vaccination to enter certain indoor locations.
The mayor categorized the decision as a “preemptive strike” against an Omicron variant winter surge.