The prospect of a large-scale invasion of Rafah, where around 1.2 million civilians are sheltering, has sparked intensifying global alarm
world2 hours ago
Facing a winter surge in Covid-19 infections, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Friday that masks will be required in all indoor public places unless the businesses or venues implement a vaccine requirement.
Hochul said the decision to impose a mask mandate was based on state’s weekly seven-day case rate, as well as increasing hospitalisations.
The mask mandate applies to both patrons and staff and will be in effect from Monday to January 15, after which the state will reevaluate.
“We’re entering a time of uncertainty and we could either plateau here or our cases could get out of control,” Hochul warned at a public appearance in New York City.
New York joins several states with similar indoor mask mandates, including Washington, Oregon, Illinois, New Mexico, Nevada and Hawaii.
ALSO READ:
An average of roughly 9,740 people tested positive for Covid-19 over the seven days through December 8 in New York, a 38 per cent increase from the previous seven days, according to The Associated Press’s review of state data.
The surge is especially pronounced in some areas of upstate New York, which has accounted for nearly three-fourths of confirmed Covid-19 deaths in hospitals since August.
“We are heading upward in a direction that I no longer find sustainable,” Hochul said.
Hochul announced the mask mandate at a social service agency in on the west side of Manhattan, where most people already wear masks. New York City requires vaccinations for indoor restaurant dining, entertainment and gyms, so those venues will be unaffected by the new rule.
Several upstate New York counties have recently enacted mask mandates as well, including Erie County, which includes Buffalo.
Hochul said violators could face civil and criminal penalties, including a maximum fine of $1,000. Local health departments will be in charge of enforcing the requirements.
The prospect of a large-scale invasion of Rafah, where around 1.2 million civilians are sheltering, has sparked intensifying global alarm
world2 hours ago
The festival saw the participation of 120 students in school theatre, Arabic calligraphy, and visual arts
uae2 hours ago
The PTI founder emphasised a deal is made by someone who wants to leave the country or avoid incarceration
asia3 hours ago
The ministry said later that Russian aircraft and air defence systems had downed a total of 15 ATACMS in the past week
world3 hours ago
Judge ordered the police to ensure the appearance of nine suspects in the Jinnah House attack case, and five others in the Askari Tower case on May 15
asia3 hours ago
Honouring Sharjah as the Guest of Honour at this renowned cultural event also recognises its central role as one of the key World Book Capitals
uae4 hours ago
This year's contest has so far been dominated by calls for Israel to be excluded over its war in Gaza, which the organisers rejected
europe4 hours ago
Dubai's Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan, mourned his passing by posting a heartfelt tribute on X
gulf4 hours ago