‘Nassau not in crisis’ – Blakeman says he won’t enforce NY mask mandate

The mandate means patrons need to wear a mask inside all public places that do not require a vaccine.

News 12 Staff

Dec 13, 2021, 11:00 AM

Updated 1,091 days ago

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New York state’s new temporary mask mandate is now in effect.
The mandate means patrons need to wear a mask inside all public places that do not require a vaccine.
Gov. Kathy Hochul says public places that opt for the mask requirement, rather than proof of full vaccination, must ensure that all patrons ages 2 and older wear a mask at all times while indoors.
The move comes after the rate of daily COVID-19 cases has gone up over 50% since Thanksgiving.
However, Nassau County may not be enforcing the mandate as Hochul has put local health departments in charge of enforcing the state's requirements.
Nassau County Executive-elect Bruce Blakeman released a statement, saying: “Nassau County is not in crisis and should not be painted with the same broad brush as the rest of the state. 97% of adults in Nassau County have received at least their first dose of the vaccine and Nassau hospitals have adequate capacity to handle existing demand.”
However, some business owners like Steven Diamond, owner of Hollywood Health Club in Hewlett, says he is giving people the choice to either show proof of vaccination or wear a mask when coming to the gym to be in compliance with Hochul’s new mandates.
A violation of any provision of the measure is subject to civil and criminal penalties including a maximum fine of $1,000 for each violation.
The mask or vaccination mandate will be in effect until Jan. 15, at which point the state will reevaluate the status of cases, hospitalizations and vaccinations.