Today, Governor Cuomo announced he is extending the “NYS on Pause” order in an effort to further combat the COVID19 pandemic. As a result, ALL non-essential workers must continue to work from home and schools will be closed statewide through May 15th. Governor Cuomo Issues Executive Order Requiring Facial Coverings in Public Governor Cuomo released Executive Order 202.17 requiring all people to wear a facial covering in “any situation where you cannot maintain social distancing”. The Governor noted people can’t maintain social distancing on mass transit and in other situations, but can do so on an empty street for instance. The face covering can be any type of cloth covering. Here is the exact language from the Executive Order:
“Effective at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 17, 2020 any individual who is over age two and able to medically tolerate a face-covering shall be required to cover their nose and mouth with a mask or cloth face-covering when in a public place and unable to maintain, or when not maintaining, social distance.”
As of now there will be no penalties imposed for people who do not comply, but there is a possibility civil penalties could be imposed, such as those issued for jay-walking, if this directive is not maintained. These rules come on top of the NYS Department of Health issuing face covering guidelines for workers in essential services that took effect Wednesday, April 16th at 8PM.
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