SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Despite new recommendations from New York State’s health department, many businesses continue to allow customers to make their own choices regarding whether they wear a mask.
Masking in public indoor areas regardless of vaccination status is advised by State health officials in five Central New York counties-Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, and Oswego. According to data provided by the State, the Central New York region saw a 17% increase in cases during the week ended April 3 compared to the week prior. Health officials also reported a seven-day average of 37.7 cases per 100,000 people in CNY, compared to 15.6 per 100,000 residents across the rest of New York State.
Despite the rising numbers, no mask mandates have been instituted by either State or County leaders. Governor Hochul’s previous mandate for indoor masking in public settings expired on Feb. 10. Therefore, businesses and other organizations are allowed to decide for themselves whether to make masks mandatory or allow customers to choose for themselves.
Many of those entities are going with the latter option. The Syracuse Mets are one of them. The Triple-A affiliates of the New York Mets began their season on Tuesday with no requirement for fans to wear masks in either the outdoor or indoor portions of NBT Bank Stadium.
“We’re following Onondaga County, in terms of their policies and their recommendations…No mask requirements. We certainly recommend, if fans, would feel more comfortable, to wear masks, but it’s not a requirement at this point,” said Michael Tricarico, director of broadcast and media relations for the team.
Tricarico did caution, however, that those rules are subject to change based on new recommendations from health officials.
Another Central New York business that is not requiring customers to wear masks and does not plan on doing so without government mandates is Manny’s on Marshall St. in Syracuse. Co-owner of the SU-centric clothing and memorabilia store Bill Nester thinks most customers have little appetite for masks.
“I feel like customers want to make up their own minds. At this point, you know, we’re over two years into this thing,” Nester said.
He feels that imposing mask rules on his customers without a mandate from State or County officials would put his business at a disadvantage, as Nester believes that it could drive potential clients to other stores that do not have similar rules in place. Nester says he personally feels safe in his store because he is vaccinated.
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The Syracuse Mets are not requiring fans to wear masks at games.
© 2022 Ben Spector -
Manny's on Marshall St. has been open since 1949.
© 2022 Francesco Simone
