New York State In-depth

State mask or vaccination mandate extended until February 1st

ALBANY, New York (WWNY) – The state is extending its mask or vaccination mandate for an additional two weeks.

The obligation for indoor public venues to ensure their guests are masked or vaccinated was originally due to expire on January 15th.

Governor Kathy Hochul said at a COVID-19 briefing on Friday that the state would extend the mandate to at least February 1 due to the current course of coronavirus infections, particularly the Omicron variant.

Hochul said the need for masks or vaccinations “are all designed to keep the economy open. The other alternative is to say, “shut everything down,” like officials did at the start of the pandemic.

“The reason we don’t have to do this is because we now have the defenses – the tests, the vaccines, the booster, the masks – we are now in a different dynamic.

The state also requires that teachers at SUNY and CUNY schools be vaccinated and students topped up before they return to campus. The students had to be fully vaccinated.

Students must also present a negative COVID-19 test on their return.

This goes into effect on January 15th.

The governor acknowledged that not all students have been fully vaccinated for six months, so they are not yet eligible for a booster, but they should get it right away.

“This is how we ensure that these campuses remain open,” said Hochul. “As I’ve been saying all along, we’re going to protect the health of New Yorkers, but also the health of the economy.”

The governor said it can be devastating to the local economy if a campus closes.

In a statement, Fred Kowal, President of United University Professions, welcomed the move to require vaccinations on faculties. The UUP represents professors on SUNY campuses.

Kowal said 90 percent of its members were already vaccinated.

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