Masks are now required to be worn in all indoor public places unless businesses or venues implement a vaccine requirement. As noted on the Frequently Asked Questions webpage, an indoor public place is defined as any indoor space that is not a private residence — businesses and venues New Yorkers frequent that are publicly owned or owned by private business. These entities include indoor entertainment venues, concert halls, indoor sports stadiums, recreational spaces, restaurants, office buildings, shopping centers, grocery stores, pharmacies, houses of worship and common areas in residential buildings. Posters encouraging people to wear masks and get vaccinated are available for businesses to use here and here.

“As governor, my top priority is to protect the health of New Yorkers and the health of our economy, and these temporary measures will help us get through the holiday season safely,” Hochul said in a press release. “I share everyone’s frustration that we have gotten to this point, especially with the vaccine at our disposal. I want to thank the millions of New Yorkers who have done the right thing to get fully vaccinated. We are all in this together and if others will follow suit, these measures will no longer be necessary.”

This major action to address the winter surge and concern over upcoming holiday gatherings comes as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations rise statewide to be in alignment with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations for communities with substantial and high transmission. The state health commissioner issued a determination solidifying the requirement.

The measure is effective until Jan. 15, after which the state will re-evaluate based on current conditions, and brings added layers of mitigation during the holiday season when more time is spent indoors shopping, gathering and visiting holiday-themed destinations.

COVID-19 vaccines and booster doses are free and widely available statewide. New Yorkers can visit vaccines.gov, text their ZIP code to 438829, or call 800-232-0233 to find nearby locations. To schedule an appointment at a state-run mass vaccination site, New Yorkers can visit the Am-I-Eligible site. New Yorkers can also contact their health care provider, county health departments, Federally Qualified Health Centers, rural health centers, or pharmacies.

A full list of frequently asked questions is available on the state Department of Health website: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/node/13521. Below are some highlights.

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Frequently asked questions

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Q: What is the new requirement?

A: On Dec. 10, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced masks will be required to be worn in all indoor public places unless businesses or venues implement a vaccine requirement. This major action to address the winter surge comes as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations rise statewide and is in alignment with the CDC’s recommendations for communities with substantial and high transmission. The state health commissioner issued a determination solidifying the requirement.

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Q: Does this mean vaccines aren’t working?

A: No! The State Department of Health has produced nation-leading studies, published in the CDC’s MMWR and the New England Journal of Medicine, which demonstrate the COVID-19 vaccines’ effectiveness — particularly in preventing severe disease. The Department continues to urge eligible New Yorkers of all ages to get fully vaccinated and boosted as soon as possible.

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Q: So why did the State implement the new requirements?

A: The new measure brings added layers of mitigation during the holidays when more time is spent indoors shopping, gathering, and visiting holiday-themed destinations. Since Thanksgiving, the statewide seven-day average case rate has increased by 43% and hospitalizations have increased by 29%. While the percentage of New Yorkers fully vaccinated continues to increase — gaining 2% from Thanksgiving weekend to now — the uptick is not fast enough to completely curb the spread of the virus, particularly among communities with low vaccination coverage.

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Q: When do the new requirements go into effect?

A: The new requirements go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021 through Jan. 15, 2022, at which time the state will reevaluate next steps.

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Q: Do the new requirements (via the Dec. 10 commissioner’s determination) supersede the previous requirements (the Aug. 27 Commissioner’s Determination) on Indoor Masking?

A: Yes. This determination supersedes the Aug. 27, 2021 determination that required face masks in certain settings such as healthcare settings, schools, correctional facilities and while on public transport or in transportation hubs. These settings are all still covered under the current masking determination.

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Questions about businesses

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Q: How is ‘indoor public place’ defined, and what type of businesses and venues are included under this requirement?

A: Indoor public place is defined as any indoor space that is not a private residence. This means businesses and venues New Yorkers typically frequent that are either publicly owned or owned by private business entities. This includes indoor entertainment venues, concert halls, indoor sports stadiums, recreational spaces, restaurants, office buildings, shopping centers, grocery stores, pharmacies, houses of worship and common areas in residential buildings.

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Q: Does this policy apply to office spaces?

A: Yes, the requirement applies to all non-private residences, including office spaces. If the office does not require proof of vaccination as a condition of entry, everyone must wear masks at all times regardless of vaccination status except when eating, drinking or alone in an enclosed room.

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A: If eating or drinking is a part of my business or venue establishment, and I have a mask requirement in place, what am I supposed to do when guests are eating or drinking?

Q: Patrons of your establishment can remove their masks only while they are actively eating or drinking, at which time appropriate social distancing measures, proper air ventilation, and filtration methods are highly recommended. Masks should be worn in all other instances outside of physical eating or drinking.

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Q: What if I’m eating or drinking at a restaurant or bar?

A: If a business or venue does not require proof of full vaccination, all employees and patrons must have their mask on at all times regardless of vaccination status, except when necessary to eat or drink.

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Q: What about private events held at a public indoor space, such as a wedding hosted at a restaurant or venue?

A: Private residences are not included. However, for private events held indoors at a business or venue — for example, a wedding taking place at a privately-owned restaurant or venue — the business entity/venue must require masking or proof of vaccination as a condition of entry.