New York's Appellate court upheld Gov. Kathy Hochul's mask
mandate for indoor public locations and schools as the appeals process
continues.
Last week, state Supreme Court Judge Thomas Rademaker
struck
down the order, saying that neither the governor nor the state health
commissioner had the authority to enact the mandate without the state
Legislature, since the governor no longer has emergency powers.
Gov. Hochul released a statement after the stay was granted
by the state.
"I commend the Appellate Division, Second Department
for granting a full stay to keep our masking regulations in place for the
duration of our appeal. My primary responsibility as Governor is to keep New
Yorkers safe. Mask regulations keep our schools and businesses safe and open,
protect vulnerable New Yorkers, and are critical tools as we work to get
through this winter surge. Thanks to our efforts, including mask regulations,
cases are declining and we are seeing major progress in the fight against
COVID-19. I thank the Attorney General and her team for their defense of these
common sense measures, and I am confident we will continue to prevail. We are
committed to doing everything in our power to keep New Yorkers safe."