For the first time in months, New York City reported a daily COVID positivity rate above 3% on Tuesday, September 29. With this news, Mayor Bill de Blasio has said the city will impose fines on people who refuse to wear face coverings in nine zip codes seeing an uptick in COVID cases. Individuals will first be reminded that face masks are required, and offered a free face mask. Should they refuse, they will be fined an unspecified amount for a first offense, with a maximum fine of $1,000.

Further, de Blasio also said that the city may order the closure of private schools and childcare centers if they don’t follow the health commissioner’s order on health safeguards, according to Hamodia.