New York, Dec 11 (TIWN) The state of New York is set to reintroduce a mask mandate at public indoor venues aimed at battling the winter surge of Covid-19 infections, Governor Kathy Hochul announced.

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced Friday that masks will be required to be worn in all indoor public places unless businesses or venues implement a vaccine requirement.  The mandate will take effect from Dec. 13, 2021 to Jan. 15, 2022 with a reassessment to be done afterwards.  The return of mask-wearing requirement is based on rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.  Since Thanksgiving on Nov. 25, the statewide seven-day average case rate has increased by 43 percent and hospitalizations have increased by 29 percent, according to a release by the state government.  "We shouldn't have reached the point where we are confronted with a winter surge, especially with the vaccine at our disposal," said Hochul.  The new measure brings added layers of mitigation during the holidays when more time is spent indoors shopping, gathering, and visiting holiday-themed destinations, said the release.