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State Attorney General Letitia James says an Appellate Division judge has granted a motion filed by her office to keep the state's mask mandate in place for now.
On Monday, a State Supreme Court judge in Nassau County ruled that the mandate was unconstitutional, saying Governor Kathy Hochul and State Health Commissioner Doctor Mary Bassett didn't have the authority to impose it without approval from the State Legislature. The mandate was issued last month in an attempt to slow down the spread of COVID-19. In a statement, Governor Hochul thanked the Attorney General for her defense of the health and safety of New Yorkers. Another court hearing on the mandate is set for Friday.