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New York authorities will spend $65 million in the state’s boroughs and counties to enforce mandatory facemasks, which have been in effect in enclosed spaces since December 13.
“We’re not going to throw in the towel here. We will not surrender to pandemic fatigue, as much as we’re getting exhausted from this. We can get through this holiday season,” Governor Kathy Hochul assured New Yorkers at a press conference.
The $65 million plan comes after county representatives said they lack the funds to enforce the governor’s order, which runs through January 15 and will involve civil and criminal penalties, with a maximum fine of $1,000 for each violation, for which health officers will have to be deployed, Hochul said.
The measure covers indoor entertainment venues, concert halls, indoor sports stadiums, recreational spaces, restaurants, office buildings, shopping malls, grocery stores, pharmacies, places of worship and common areas in residential buildings.
The governor, as did Mayor Bill de Blasio today, said this will be a short-term situation as the world enters the third year of the pandemic.
