Business owners and local representatives took a stand Wednesday against Gov. Kathy Hochul’s mask mandate.

Gubernatorial candidate Rep. Lee Zeldin was at the protest and says owners shouldn’t be punished if customers refuse to wear a mask.

“If you don’t adequately in some unknown fashion confront the patron, the governor of the state of New York is threatening a $1,000 fine,” Zeldin says. “There is no enforcement mechanism from the government. It’s left to the business with the thread of a fine…”

Face coverings are required to be work in all indoor public places unless proof of vaccination is required for entry.