Rockland County Slaps Fine On Mask Requirement

by Monsey.info

Make others wear a mask, or face a $2,000 fine.

That’s the new rule in Rockland County after the Commissioner of Health signed a face-covering order for all educational institutions, childcare programs and school buses.

Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert announced the Commissioner’s new standing order related to COVID-19 on Thursday.

The order requires that all educational institutions, childcare programs and school transportation companies be “responsible to require and ensure that all children and students over age two cover their noses and mouths with acceptable face coverings at all times.”

“It is critical that we do everything within our power to protect the children of our community,” said County Executive Ed Day. “This Order gives our inspectors the ability to issue fines to the businesses and institutions responsible for the safety of our children. While we have long been limited by the Governor in terms of actions that we can take locally related to COVID-19, his recent Executive Order 202.68 here: http://rocklandgov.com/download_file/view/15294/4395/ clarified the authority of the Health Department to act with respect to his Executive Orders and the New York State Department of Health’s regulations.”

Each violation of the order could bring a penalty of up to $2,000 per violation per day

“We are in the midst of a deadly Public Health Emergency, and we have seen many recent cases linked to schools, daycares and congregate settings throughout the County. Masks have shown to be effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses. Given the recent increases in active cases, we must all redouble our efforts to protect the health of residents and especially children,” said Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert.

The order includes a clause that allows masks to be removed during approved mask breaks, where students can maintain social distancing.