Rockland Mandates Masks For Kids On Buses, In School, At Day Care

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — All schools, child care programs and school transportation companies must require and ensure children over age 2 wear face coverings over their mouths and noses at all times in Rockland County.

County Executive Ed Day and Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert announced the new order Thursday morning.

The only time masks are not required is during approved breaks where students can maintain social distancing, they said.

“It is critical that we do everything within our power to protect the children of our community,” Day said in a statement. "This Order gives our inspectors the ability to issue fines to the businesses and institutions responsible for the safety of our children."

Day has complained for months about the rule state officials put in place early in the pandemic preventing local governments from writing their own emergency public health orders as Rockland County had done during its measles epidemic.

Thursday, he said Gov. Andrew Cuomo's recent executive order clarified the authority of the Health Department to act with respect to his executive orders and the state Department of Health’s regulations.

The new mask mandate has teeth.

If a child, student, faculty, staff member or visitor is observed without a face covering in any program, school or vehicle regulated under the order, it's a violation. Each violation is subject to a civil 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," Ruppert said. "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."

Reports of violations can be made to the county's COVID-19 hotline at 845-238-1956 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or via email to COVIDCallCenter@co.rockland.ny.us.

Staff from the Rockland County Department of Health will respond to complaints. Day will address the commissioner's standing order and other related topics at 4:15 p.m. via Facebook Live.