Thursday, October 1, 2026
Nassau County executive-elect Bruce Blakeman announced on Dec. 14 that he will not be enforcing the state’s mask mandate when he takes office in January.
“We are almost two years into the pandemic. We have learned a lot, there are vaccines now available, booster shots available,” Blakeman said. “...I think we have to make these decisions on a day-to-day basis and evaluate what is going on.”
This comes after Gov. Kathy Hochul mandated on Dec. 10 that masks be worn in all indoor public places unless businesses or venues implement a vaccine requirement.
The temporary measures I am taking today will help accomplish this through the holiday season,” Hochul said in a statement. “We shouldn't have reached the point where we are confronted with a winter surge, especially with the vaccine at our disposal, and I share many New Yorkers' frustration that we are not past this pandemic yet.”
A violation of any provision of the measure is subject to a maximum fine of $1,000 for each violation, according to Hochul’s press release. Local health departments are being asked to enforce these requirements.
Blakeman cited the county’s 97 percent vaccination rate as one reason why he won’t be enforcing the mandate. “I will instruct our health department and other departments in the county to stand down and not enforce the mandate, not issue fines and tickets,” Blakeman said.
When asked what would constitute the county being in crisis mode, he said that the determination would be made based on a conversation with health care officials and the number of hospital and ICU beds that are open.
Blakeman said he is leaving it up to the individual business or school districts to make a determination on enforcing mask mandates.
