Mask Requirements Reappear in Parts of New York as Respiratory Illnesses Surge

Face coverings are making a comeback in parts of New York, particularly across the Hudson Valley region, as a rise in respiratory illnesses are pushing hospitals and care facilities to tighten health precautions.

While the sight of masks in public spaces has brought back memories of the 2020 pandemic, current changes are more limited. Most mask use remains voluntary, but some health-care settings and private workplaces have begun requiring face coverings for individuals who are not vaccinated or who are showing symptoms of illness. The shift comes amid what health officials describe as an especially aggressive cold and flu season, compounded by increasing cases of RSV and COVID-19.

According to NBC New York, the week following Thanksgiving saw one of the steepest single-week increases in flu cases since before the pandemic with 14,506 confirmed infections, an 80% jump from the prior week. Hospitalizations have followed the same upward trend.

The surge has prompted hospitals and long-term care facilities to reintroduce masking policies. Rather than universal mandates, many facilities are focusing rules on staff members and visitors who have not received recommended vaccinations or boosters. Health officials say the approach allows facilities to reduce the risk of transmission while avoiding the sweeping restrictions seen in prior years.

Governor Kathy Hochul has addressed the renewed attention on masks in recent public comments, emphasizing that New York is not returning to broad, statewide mandates. She has, however, voiced support for current policies and framed masking as a protective option during peak virus season, particularly in medical settings where vulnerable patients face higher risks of illness. Hochul has also reiterated that health-care providers retain the discretion to set policies based on current conditions inside their facilities.

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Mask Requirements Reappear in Parts of New York as Respiratory Illnesses Surge