New York will begin to fine for refusing to wear face masks: what is known

The newspaper writes about who exactly will be fined for refusing to wear a protective mask. The Guardian... The amount of the fine, which is the last measure of punishment, is not announced.

New York is seeing a rise in the number of COVID-19 infections. Therefore, the city authorities decided to toughen the requirements for residents: now it is forbidden to visit public places without protective masks. This was announced by Mayor Bill de Blasio.

In particular, officials are concerned about the increase in the number of diseases in the city's nine zip codes. In general, the rate of positive test results for coronavirus in the city exceeded 3% for the first time in several months.

The latter figure for the whole city was 3,25%. And in some "hot spots" the rate of positive results was at the level of 17%.

Wearing protective masks will help minimize the risk of new infections, authorities said. Those who refuse to follow the new rules will face fines.

Those who do not have a protective mask with them will be given them free. If a person refuses to wear it, then he faces a fine, the mayor said, without specifying the amount of the fine. “Our goal, of course, is to give everyone free face masks,” the mayor said. "We don't want to fine people, but if we have to, we will."

Recall that during the first outbreak of the pandemic, in March and April, New York became not only a hot spot in the United States, but also the world leader in the number of infected. Today, the city and state authorities are concerned that the progress of recent months is not wasted.

More than 7 million people have been infected in the United States, more than 200 have died. According to Johns Hopkins University, the state of New York has more than 450 infections and more than 25 deaths.

On the subject: In New York, a new surge of COVID-19: what the authorities are ready to go to to stop the virus

The new mask-wearing rule applies to the entire city and echoes a policy announced this month by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which is controlled by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Under this policy, passengers who refuse to wear masks on public transport - buses, trains and subways - face a $ 50 fine.

On Tuesday, September 29, Bill de Blasio said that the seven-day positive average for COVID-19 remained at 1,38%. Although he added that this week the city average rose to 3%. “For the first time in several months, the daily number exceeds 3%,” the mayor said. - Obviously everyone is concerned about this. This is what we all need to work on together. "

During his briefing, the governor noted that the state as a whole, the proportion of positive cases is 1,1%, but in 20 “hot spots” where large Jewish communities are concentrated, the average rate rose to 5% or more.

According to Cuomo, 571 people were hospitalized for the previous day, infected with coronavirus, two people died.