December 31, 2021 Mask Mandate for New York State Extended
KEEPING YOU INFORMED…
Governor Hochul announced today that the NYS Department of Health’s mask mandate for all public places[1] has been extended by two weeks and will now expire on February 1, 2022 (formerly, January 15, 2022).
As a reminder, pursuant to the mandate, everyone over the age of two who can medically tolerate a face covering/mask must wear one, regardless of vaccination status, while in any “indoor public place” (including public and private offices, among many other places) unless proof of full vaccination[2] against COVID-19 is a condition of entry. If an office does not require proof of full vaccination as a condition of entry, everyone must wear masks except when alone in an enclosed room or while “actively” eating or drinking. Please see our December 10, 2021 memorandum for more information.
Violations of this mandate are subject to civil and criminal penalties, including a maximum fine of $1,000 for each violation.
If you have any questions regarding this mandate, please contact Alyssa L. Zuckerman (alz@lambbarnosky.com) or one of our other attorneys at 631-694-2300.
THIS MEMORANDUM IS MEANT TO ASSIST IN GENERAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE CURRENT LAW. IT IS NOT TO BE REGARDED AS LEGAL ADVICE. THOSE WITH PARTICULAR QUESTIONS SHOULD SEEK THE ADVICE OF COUNSEL.
[1] The NYSDOH’s Acting Commissioner’s December 10, 2021 Determination is available at: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2021/12/2.60-determination-12.10.21.pdf.
[2] Pursuant to the Department of Health’s “Frequently Asked Questions: Proof of Full Vaccination or Mask Requirement for Businesses and Venues” (available at https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/frequently-asked-questions-proof-full-vaccination-or-mask-requirement-businesses-and-venues) in place at the time of issuance of this memorandum, if a business/venue chooses to implement the vaccination requirement, it must ensure that anyone over the age of 12 is fully vaccinated before entering and that children ages five through 11 have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccination.
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© Lamb & Barnosky, LLP 2021