The Appellate Division, Second Department late Monday granted a full stay of New York State's public indoor mask mandate until March 2, which can be considered a victory for Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James and the state's Department of Health.
As of now, that mandate expires on February 10.
In a statement, Hochul hailed the decision.
"Mask regulations keep our schools and businesses safe and open, protect vulnerable New Yorkers, and are critical tools as we work to get through this winter surge," Hochul said.
"Thanks to our efforts, including mask regulations, cases are declining and we are seeing major progress in the fight against COVID-19. "
The decision was closely watched after a decision one week ago by a State Supreme Court judge in Nassau County ruled that the mandate was unconstitutional, only to have the reversed a day later with an initial, temporary stay ordered by Appellate Division judge Robert Miller.
