The California Department of Public Health (“CDPH”) has announced that beginning this Wednesday, December 15, California will reinstate its statewide indoor mask mandate for all people of all ages in all public places regardless of vaccination status. The order is being issued in response to a spike in COVID cases in the last few weeks; cases have increased by nearly 50% since Thanksgiving. Continue reading “California Reinstates Statewide Indoor Mask Mandate in All Public Places Regardless of Vaccination Status”
New York State Adopts Mask Mandate for Businesses That Do Not Require Proof of Vaccination for Entry
In anticipation of the winter holiday season, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced a new mask mandate that will apply to all businesses and venues that do not require proof of vaccination as a condition of entry. This requirement is in effect from December 13, 2021, until January 15, 2022, after which the state will reevaluate based on current conditions.
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Florida Judge Rules Governor Did Not Have Authority to Ban School Mask Mandates
Just before the start of the 2021 school year, with COVID-19 rates in Florida rapidly rising, several Florida school boards implemented mask mandates in their school districts. In response, on July 30, 2021, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 21-175, which banned mask mandates in schools, declaring that it should be parents—not the government—who decide whether their children are required to wear masks in school.
On August 6, 2021, a group of parents claiming that their children were adversely affected by the governor’s blanket ban on mask mandates in Florida schools filed a lawsuit against the governor, challenging the constitutionality of the ban. On August 27, 2021, following a four-day virtual trial, Leon County Circuit Judge John Cooper ruled from the bench that the ban was unlawful, reasoning that DeSantis overreached his authority, misinterpreted state law and disregarded the nation’s best scientific and medical opinions.
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Philadelphia Announces New Indoor and Outdoor Mask Mandates Effective August 12
With COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations on the rise, Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health announced a new set of mask mandates, which will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on August 12, 2021.
To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.