NEW YORK — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has lifted the state’s mask requirement in a number of locations where masks were previously required, including public transportation, where it was one of the few such requirements remaining in the country.
Hochul announced the change in a Wednesday update on COVID-19 cases in the state. Masks will still be required in a handful of locations, including adult care and health-care facilities regulated by the state.
New York had required masks for 28 months, retaining the rule for four months after a U.S. district judge in Florida struck down a national mask requirement in April [see “Federal judge strikes down transportation mask mandate,” Trains News Wire, April 19, 2022].
The news site amNY.com reports Hochul told a briefing in East Harlem, “We have to restore some normalcy to our lives. Masks are encouraged but optional.”
A union representing Metro-North Railroad employees had called for an end to the mask rule in July, citing confrontations between crew members and passengers over the requirement. Edward Valente, general chairman of the Association of Commuter Rail employees, said Metro-North conductors had been assaulted by passengers who became combative when asked to wear a mask [see “Metro-North union asks for end to transit mask mandate …,” News Wire, July 29, 2022].
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