(Wikimedia Commons/ Nickolay Romensky licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
May 28, 2020 By Allie Griffin
New York businesses will soon be able to turn away customers who aren’t wearing a mask.
Governor Andrew Cuomo said he would be signing an executive order today giving businesses the right to boot out any customer who refuses to wear a mask.
The new directive, referred to as the ‘no mask, no entry’ order, means any private business in the state can deny entry or services to a customer who lacks a mask or other face covering.
“We’ve made [masks] mandatory in public settings, public transportation, et cetera,” Cuomo said at his daily press briefing. “But when we’re talking about reopening stores and places of business, we’re giving the store owners the right to say ‘if you’re not wearing a mask you can’t come in.'”
It’s unclear when the directive will take effect.
The order builds upon earlier guidance from the city.
In April, Mayor Bill de Blasio similarly advised New York City grocery stores to require customers to wear a face covering while shopping.
De Blasio said every grocery store has the right to make the requirement and any customer who refuses to wear a covering could be denied entry into the store.
“That is legal and appropriate,” de Blasio said on April 15. “The City will back you up.”
The mayor said store employees could call 311 to have police officers come and assist them if a customer refused.
Governor Cuomo’s new order ensures businesses have the authority to deny unmasked customers if they choose to.
“That store owner has a right to protect themselves,” Cuomo said.
People have a right to jeopardize their own health (I don’t recommend it).
People don’t have a right to jeopardize other people’s health. https://t.co/kBBAex72W3
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) May 28, 2020
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20 Comments
Great move. Anyone has the right to refuse mask, and store owner has the right to refuse service.
Chris and Rosie will help get those hard hit area folks in order. Good call Governor. Whatever it takes.
Here’s an idea for Gov Cuomo: Try to LOWER your incessant taxes and subway fares, tolls etc…so that you can create a new vibrant NYC and NY. Set an example by truly helping New York residents.
Cuomo sent sick people to nursing homes!
I agree with Cuomo on this one. We need to protect everyone especially in a retail and grocery store environment.
Lots of people is leaving NY anyway, many of my friends and family are leaving NY in the next couple of weeks, I have been helping them get set up…. “It’s sad”
They should also require protective eye ware.
I guess temperature checks before entry will be next.
Cuomo needs to make sure that everyone has access to proper masks.
Face masks are necessary when you can’t social distance outside. It’s courteous to wear one in a store. You may be there for 5 minutes but the cashier and workers are there for hours around a lot of people. So be courteous and do it for them. Unfortunately people are dense and some can’t be asked just once to do something, they need to be scared or forced to do it.
i just wear my one mask in stores and on the buses and trains . Too hot to be wearing them outside. And yea i been using the same one for over two months. I don’t have the money to buy one each time i need to put one on.
I loved seeing Rosie Perez and Chris Rock during the Governors press conference. He should have more Hollywood guests.
This article is about turning away customers who aren’t wearing a mask. Would you want to say anything relevant instead?
That’s the perfect way to drive customers to on-line shopping. Keep the hysteria going!
Private business have the right to refuse entry anyway so whats new?
Bravo. No mask no entry. Cuomo should announced another competition for homemade PSAs on “No mask no entry” to combat the coronavirus.
Curse is the only bless for sunnyside.
Rioters and looters are exempt.
Can we refuse entry to the governor that killed grandma in the nursing home ? Is homicide still a crime in New York ???? That means you Andrew
Cuomo sent sick people to nursing homes!