New York brings back mask mandate as cases spike: COVID-19 updates

Masks will be required starting Monday in all indoor public places across New York unless businesses or venues implement a vaccine requirement for entry.

The mandates come as COVID-19 cases spiked statewide more than 43% since Thanksgiving, straining the health care system amid staffing shortages, Gov. Kathy Hochul said. New cases have been rising steadily across most of the nation in recent weeks.

New York's requirements extend to both patrons and staff, with businesses facing a maximum $1,000 fine per violation. The measure will remain in place until Jan. 15, after which the state will re-evaluate.

New York City is also tightening requirements. Beginning Tuesday, children ages 5 to 11 will be required to have proof of vaccination for most indoor activities in the city. And starting Dec. 27, city residents ages 12 and older participating in public indoor activities will be required to show proof they have been fully vaccinated.

The city is also mandating all private sector employees be vaccinated by year's end.

"Omicron is here, it's all over the country," Mayor Bill de Blasio said Sunday. "This variant moves fast. We have to move faster."

Also in the news:

►Cornell University said it found almost 300 new COVID cases among students tested Friday and Saturday, including some of the new omicron variant. Most cases involved off-campus student social gatherings where masking and other public health measures were not followed, the school said.

►A New Jersey jail is under lockdown this week because of a COVID-19 outbreak that infected 30 people, the third such outbreak at the correctional facility since the pandemic began nearly two years ago. 

►Navy Cmdr. Lucian Kins has been fired from his job as the executive officer of a warship because he refused to get a COVID-19 vaccine and refused to be tested for the coronavirus.

►Amid a rising number of cases in Japan of the omicron variant of coronavirus, all ski jumping World Cup events there this season were canceled Saturday.