New York City subway riders will face a $50 fine if they are not wearing a mask, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
“I said to the MTA, ‘You have to come up with an enforcement plan for people not wearing masks,’” Cuomo said Thursday. “This is for the handful of people who are not compliant.”
“Because compliance has gotten so much better, we can now take the next step,” Cuomo said.
The New York Post noted that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority backed up the decision.
“It is reassuring to other passengers who play by the rules that mask-wearing is mandatory,” said MTA Chairman Pat Foye. “It’s a matter of respect for co-commuters and employees.”
The news comes as New York City begins to reopen.
Some local restaurateurs, such as Joe Germanotta, the owner of Joanne Trattoria on the Upper West Side and Lady Gaga’s father, said a recent allowance of 25% capacity for in-person dining is not enough.
“It’s not going to carry them through the end of the year for sure,” he continued. “We don’t understand why 50% [capacity] is everywhere else.”
“It’s going to be hard not only on us, but it affects our landlords. It affects our food purveyors. Our costs are going to go up from a food cost perspective,” Germanotta explained. “I can’t bring back more employees. I’m probably going to have to raise prices again.”
