No More Masks-Cuomo Drops Mandate For Vaccinated New Yorkers
No more 'mask confusion'! New York drops the mandate on masks for vaccinated residents. The state will officially follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention latest mask guidelines. NBC 13 reports that Governor Cuomo made the announcement earlier today.
Starting Wednesday, fully vaccinated, Capital Region residents will be allowed to return to the activities we enjoyed before the pandemic without wearing a mask. You don't even have to do the socially distant thing anymore but I wouldn't throw your mask away just yet.
There are several occasions where you will still be required to wear a mask while practicing social distancing. Here are some of the occasions where a mask is still needed:
- If you have underlying health conditions
- If you have not been vaccinated
- If you take public transportation
- If you enter a nursing home, healthcare facility or school
As far as restaurants, bars, hotels, grocery stores and the like, Cuomo stated that each individual business can set their own rules regarding masks and social distancing or they can just follow the CDC guideline. This could be an interesting decision to make for area businesses.
Late last week CBS 6 reported that The Berlin in Troy will require patrons to show proof of COVID vaccination. This has been met with a passionate response by some. To say that the club owner has received a strong negative reaction is an understatement. One email allegedly threatened to "shoot up the bar".
It has been approximately 14 months since the start of the mask mandates and social distancing. To not have to wear one everywhere is the latest thing we will have to get used to but I think this one is a welcomed change.