Judge strikes down New York's indoor mask mandate

A New York judge struck down the Empire State's indoor mask mandate on Monday, arguing that such a policy must be approved by the state legislature before taking effect.

Nassau County Supreme Court Justice Thomas Rademaker determined that Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) did not have the authority to enforce an indoor mask mandate in December, when she announced that she was renewing a face covering requirement for indoor locations for roughly a month.

Three weeks later, however, the state Health Department extended the requirement by two more weeks, according to The New York Times, putting it in place until Feb. 1.