On February 09, 2022, the Governor Kathy Hochul lifts the mask mandate for private business. The mandate required mask-wearing indoors for private business unless the business required proof of vaccination for entry. The mandate had been in effect since December 13, 2021, enacted as a response to a spike in COVID transmission rates brought on by the Delta and Omicron variants.
However, the mask requirements will remain in place for the time being at many other locations-including schools, public transit, and healthcare settings.