Masks May Soon Be Banned On The NYC Subway
Though many people have opted to ditch their masks post-Covid, some still do choose to wear them, particularly on the NYC subway–but that may soon come to an end.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced during a news conference at the state Capitol on Thursday, June 13th, that she’s considering banning face masks in the NYC subway system. The announcement comes shortly after videos and images of masked anti-Israel protesters chanting on a train circulated around social media earlier in the week.
Hochul stated:
We will not tolerate individuals using masks to evade responsibility for criminal or threatening behavior. My team is working on a solution, but on a subway, people should not be able to hide behind a mask to commit crimes.
According to the Associated Press, the last time a law was passed to ban face masks in New York was back in the 1800s as a response to rent-related protests. That law was suspended in 2020 by former Governor Andrew Cuomo as a response to the pandemic before masks were eventually made mandatory for subway riders through September 2022.
The exact details of the policy are not yet clear, but Hochul stated she’s in talks with lawmakers on potentially crafting a bill. Hochul did note, however, the bill would contain “common-sense exemptions” for health, cultural, or religious reasons.
Hochul also added that she understands reinstating the ban would be difficult.
“We understand how complex this issue is, and we’re just listening to people and addressing their needs and taking them very seriously,” she stated.
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