ALBANY, NY – New York Governor Kathy Hochul said she would have state inspectors and police conduct ‘spot checks’ to ensure COVID-19 mask compliance. Her statement comes as many New York counties publicly rejected the state’s latest COVID-19 mask mandate.
Hochul said state inspectors would conduct spot checks for mask compliance at private New York businesses.
She later reversed course on her statement saying enforcement will instead be the responsibility of the local authorities.
“Enforcement will be done by local health departments, and Governor Hochul made $65 million available today for counties’ enforcement needs, including personnel costs associated with spot checks and other enforcement,” Hochul said later.
Violation of Hochul’s mandate could come with a $1,000 fine.