The state Department of Health council issued an emergency regulation on Friday that would allow Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker power to require masks on anyone over the age of 2 in specific settings.
Immediately, Zucker issued mask mandates for public and private schools, nursing homes, healthcare settings, and public transit.
A new order is also requiring them in correctional facilities, detention centers and homeless shelters.
Zucker stands behind his decision, stating multiple studies show that masks help stop the spread.
Michael Sussman, an Orange County civil rights attorney, has spoken to at least 120 employees from health care, corrections and education about their legal options regarding vaccine mandates.
Sussman says that while testing out being an option is more favorable, but the people who refuse to become vaccinated also make masks and tests difficult.
Religious exemptions have been eliminated from being used as a reason to not get the vaccine when mandated in New York as well.
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