Gov. Hochul directs Dept. of Health to implement universal masking for schools in 1st day as governor

Hochul says she she's directing an overhaul of state government policies on sexual harassment and ethics.

News 12 Staff

Aug 24, 2021, 7:44 PM

Updated 1,203 days ago

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The first female governor of New York was officially sworn in early Tuesday, and she wasted no time in making a big announcement regarding the upcoming school year.
In her first speech to New Yorkers, Gov. Kathy Hochul issued vaccination or testing requirements and mask mandates for schools.
“We need to require vaccinations for all school personnel with an option to test out weekly,” Hochul says. “I’m also immediately directing the Department of Health to institute universal mask-wearing for anyone entering our schools.”
Hochul also alluded to her predecessor’s allegations of wrongdoing and how that could impact people’s view of New York government. She says it’s important to her that “people have faith.”
“Our strength comes from the faith and confidence of the people who put us into these offices,” Hochul says. “I take that very seriously.”
The new governor’s approach seems to be a welcome change from former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s way of governing for legislators like Sag Harbor State Assemblyman Fred Thiele.
“I have seldom seen a level of excitement among my colleagues in the legislature in anticipation of a change in tone, particularly a more consensus drive approach to government," Thiele says.
Hochul says that when her term is over in 2022, she intends to run for a full four-year term as governor.