11.22.21 COVID-19 Bulletin: Poloncarz Reinstates Indoor Mask Mandate
Blog Categories
This afternoon, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz announced he will mandate the wearing of face coverings in all indoor public places, including private businesses. This includes bars, restaurants, stores, theaters, barbershops, salons, gyms, entertainment and sports venues, hotels, banks, and all other places open to the public.
This mandate takes effect tomorrow (Tuesday, November 23) at 6:00 am. The mandate applies in all municipalities within Erie County, and to all individuals regardless of vaccination status. Businesses not complying with the mandate can face penalties as they had earlier in the pandemic, Poloncarz said.
Poloncarz cited rising numbers of COVID-19 hospitalizations for the decision. He indicated this policy may be relaxed if COVID cases and hospitalization numbers improve.
Poloncarz called the mask mandate the first of a four-phase approach. The second phase would be a vaccine mandate for all indoor spaces; the third would be capacity restrictions, and the fourth would be shutdowns. Poloncarz said he does not want to advance to these additional phases, but will do so if the COVID-19 situation does not improve. He will assess the county’s progress on December 13 and evaluate whether to move to a more restrictive phase.
The County Executive’s full announcement is available here.
BNP leadership has been in ongoing discussions with the County Executive and remains hopeful that increased caution will prevent future mandates that would hinder our regional economy.
The BNP will continue to advocate for actions that keep our economy open and working.
Related Posts
8.4.21 Advocacy Alert: Biden Reverses Course, Extends Eviction Moratorium
On Tuesday night, the Biden administration issued a new eviction moratorium – a complete reversal from the President’s assertion this weekend that he lacked the authority to do so.
The new moratorium is in effect through October 3, going beyond New York State’s August 31 deadline. It extends the terms of the original moratorium: tenants cannot be evicted for nonpayment of rent.
BNP Advocacy Insider – August 2021
The August 2021 Advocacy Insider is a roundup of important issues we are monitoring that could you and your business.
8.2.21 Advocacy Alert: CDC Eviction Moratorium Expires; NY’s Still in Effect
With no action taken by Congress or the CDC, the federal eviction moratorium expired July 31.
The expiration will not impact New York until September. Earlier this year, the State Legislature passed S.6362/A.7175, a bill to extend the state’s eviction moratorium through August 31.
8.2.21 COVID-19 Bulletin: Cuomo Makes Recommendations on Vaccination Efforts
Yesterday, Governor Kathy Hochul announced she would repeal the state’s mask mandate, effective today. However, her announcement did not proactively address how the repeal coincided with the NY HERO Act, which would have required employees in most workplaces to continue masking.