New York Doubles Down On Public Transit Masking Requirement

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SYRACUSE – Despite a ruling that axed the federal public transit mask mandate, New York’s Governor is still requiring that masks be worn while using public transit.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the news during a COVID-19 briefing in Syracuse Wednesday.

She says the state is mandating that masks be worn on public transit, which includes buses and bus stations, trains and train stations, subways and subway stations, as well as airports.

Hochul also doubled down, telling reporters that masks are still required in state-regulated health care settings, adult care facilities, correctional facilities, homeless shelters and domestic violence shelters.

“We’re taking this seriously. You know, you don’t know every single variant that comes,” said Hochul. “Is it going to be worse than the last one? Is it going to be a more transmissible? Is it going to be more lethal? You don’t know these answers when you just hear about new variants. It’s a frightening phenomenon for many people.”

Nationwide, the Justice Department is filing an appeal seeking to overturn the Florida Judge’s ruling.

The CDC said in a statement that it is its “continuing assessment that at this time an order requiring masking in the indoor transportation corridor remains necessary for the public health.”