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New York will end its statewide mask mandate for indoor businesses effective Thursday, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday.

The mandate required people above the age of 2 to wear a mask in all public spaces unless the businesses or venues require proof of vaccination for anyone 12 or older. Masking was not required for children under the age of 2. Violations of the mandate came with a maximum $1,000 fine each.

The governor initially announced the mandate on Dec. 10, 2021, and it went into effect three days later. Hochul said the state would reevaluate the mandate after its scheduled expiration on Jan. 15, and it was extended on Dec. 31, 2021 until Feb. 1.

On Jan. 24, a state Supreme Court judge struck down Hochul’s mask mandate in a court decision, citing it as “void and unenforceable as a matter of law.” The state submitted an appeal on the same day. The mandate went back in effect after the state appellate court granted an interim stay of the mandate.

Mary T. Bassett, the state’s commissioner of health, issued a determination on Jan. 31 to extend the mandate until Feb. 10.

New York state confirmed 4,281 positive COVID-19 cases on Monday, with a seven-day rolling average positivity rate of 4.4%, per state data. About 85% New York adults are fully vaccinated as of Wednesday, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Syracuse University has been under its “RED” COVID-19 alert level since August. Under this level, vaccinated and unvaccinated people must wear a mask indoors at all times and outdoors when in the presence of others.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this post misstated that New York state confirmed 4,281 positive COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, however, the state confirmed 4,281 positive COVID-19 cases on Monday. The Daily Orange regrets this error.

Published on February 9, 2022 at 11:45 am

Contact Francis: btang05@syr.edu | @francis_towne