Hochul Issues New 'Universal Mask Requirements' For New York

Gov. Hochul is telling many New Yorkers to put the mask back on.

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On Wednesday, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced new measures to slow the spread of COVID.

"To help slow the spread of the Delta Variant and reopen our economy safely, I'm announcing a series of universal mask measures," Hochul stated.

Face coverings for anyone older than two, including all staff & visitors, are now required
at NYS Office of Children and Family Services, licensed or registered child care centers, home-based group family care programs, family child care programs, after-school child care programs, and enrolled legally exempt group programs during operational hours.

"These universal mask requirements apply to anyone medically able to tolerate wearing a mask, regardless of vaccination status," Hochul added.

New masking requirements will also apply to congregate programs and facilities licensed, registered, operated, certified or approved by the NYS Office of Mental Health; NYS OASAS; NYS OPWDD; NYS OCFS; and NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, according to Hochul.

"With Delta on the rise, requiring masks is a key part of slowing the spread, reopening our economy safely, and protecting vulnerable New Yorkers," Hochul said. "This new mask requirement ensures that children in our child care facilities receive the same protection as children in our schools."

LOOK: Here are the 50 best beach towns in America

Every beach town has its share of pluses and minuses, which got us thinking about what makes a beach town the best one to live in. To find out, Stacker consulted data from WalletHub, released June 17, 2020, that compares U.S. beach towns. Ratings are based on six categories: affordability, weather, safety, economy, education and health, and quality of life. The cities ranged in population from 10,000 to 150,000, but they had to have at least one local beach listed on TripAdvisor. Read the full methodology here. From those rankings, we selected the top 50. Readers who live in California and Florida will be unsurprised to learn that many of towns featured here are in one of those two states.

Keep reading to see if your favorite beach town made the cut.

Gallery Credit: Keri Wiginton

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From grazing Tibetan antelope to migrating monarch butterflies, these 50 photos of wildlife around the world capture the staggering grace of the animal kingdom. The forthcoming gallery runs sequentially from air to land to water, and focuses on birds, land mammals, aquatic life, and insects as they work in pairs or groups, or sometimes all on their own.

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Did You Know? Over 100 Fun Facts About the Hudson Valley

Did you know that Lucille Ball made her stage debut in the Hudson Valley? How about Philadelphia Cream Cheese wasn't invented in Philadelphia, but in Orange County? Or that a mansion in Dutchess County inspired the expression "keeping up with the Joneses?" Find out about those and over 100 other fun facts about the Hudson Valley.

Take A Look At The Most Expensive Home on the Market in the Hudson Valley

The most expensive home for sale in all of New York State is found in the Hudson Valley.

LOOK: Here Are the 25 Best Places to Live in New York State

Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in New York using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather. Cities, suburbs, and towns were included. Listings and images are from realtor.com.

On the list, there's a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums. Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.