New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has issued another Executive Order that essential businesses and all people appearing in public need to know about. On Sunday, April 12, 2020 Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.16 (“Order”), mandating that businesses that are deemed essential will now have to provide their employees with “face coverings” that must be worn when they are in contact with the public. The Order’s mandate went into effect at 8 p.m. on April 15, 2020 and will remain in place until May 12, 2020.

The Order reads in relevant part:

For all essential businesses or entities, any employees who are present in the workplace shall be provided and shall wear face coverings when in direct contact with customers or members of the public. Businesses must provide, at their expense, such face coverings for their employees. This provision may be enforced by local governments or local law enforcement as if it were an order pursuant to section 12 or 12-b of the Public Health Law.