Incoming New York City mayor Eric Adams has expressed support to the new statewide mask or vax mandate of governor Kathy Hochul.
Adams said the new mandate is the right thing to do especially since COVID cases are soaring in New York.
“I support what the govenor is doing,” Adams said.
He said New Yorkers should support Hochul’s order since it is not meant to shut down the city but just a soft touch to deal with the COVID problem.
The Democratic mayor said once he assumes office on January 1, he will do a reasonable approach to the mandate which takes effect until January 15 unless extended further.
“We are not dragging people to jail if they are not wearing a mask,” Adams said.
Earlier, in her new mandate, Hochul ordered indoor public places statewide — like restaurants and shops — to require that staff and customers either show proof of vaccination or wear masks.
“I have to protect people but also the economy. I want to make sure that the little businesses that were hurt so hard during the pandemic in a shutdown — resulting in their loss of income, [and] the loss of income of all the people who work for them,” Hochul said.
Sources said under Hochul’s new order, grocery stores, pharmacies, and other shops are required to have their customers mask up or show proof of vaccination at the door.
Businesses who will fail to enforce the rules could be subject to civil and criminal penalties, including a maximum fine of $1,000 for each violation.
To ensure everyone follows the order, Hochul tasked the local health departments to enforce it.
JOIN US ON WHAT'SAPP, TO GET INSTANT STATUS UPDATES AND BE IN THE KNOW.
CLICK HERE
