New York Governor , Announces Statewide Mask Mandate , Amid Rise in Cases.br On December 10, New York City Governor Kathy Hochul br announced a mask mandate for all indoor public places br that do not implement a vaccine requirement. .br On December 10, New York City Governor Kathy Hochul br announced a mask mandate for all indoor public places br that do not implement a vaccine requirement. .br Fox News reports that the governor said the decision was based on New York's seven-day case rate and an increasing number of hospitalizations. .br The mandate takes effect on December 13 br and applies to both patrons and staff.br On January 15, the state will reportedly br reevaluate the situation and determine br whether to extend or end the mandate. .br On January 15, the state will reportedly br reevaluate the situation and determine br whether to extend or end the mandate. .br As governor, my two top priorities br are to protect the health of New Yorkers br and to protect the health of our economy. br The temporary measures I am taking br today will help accomplish this br through the holiday season, Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York, via Fox News.br As governor, my two top priorities br are to protect the health of New Yorkers br and to protect the health of our economy. br The temporary measures I am taking br today will help accomplish this br through the holiday season, Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York, via Fox News.br Fox News points out that several other states br have already imposed mandates, br including Nevada, New Mexico and Hawaii. .br In the seven-day period ending December 8, br New York recorded over br 68,000 positive tests for the virus. .br According to Fox News, that's the mostbr in any seven-day period since br the beginning of February. .br I have warned for weeks that additional br steps could be necessary, and now we are br at that point based upon three metrics:br Increasing cases, reduced hospital br capacity, and insufficient vaccination br rates in certain areas, Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York, via Fox News.