Face Covering Ban Getting Signed Into Law In Nassau

MINEOLA, NY — Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman was expected to sign into law on Wednesday, the controversial, first-in-the-nation bill that bans wearing face covering for non-health or religious reasons.

However, Nassau County Democratic Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton called the move by Blakeman "political theater," and claimed the new law is "destined to be struck down in court."

The law goes into effect immediately and "will help increase public safety throughout Nassau County, especially in regard to hate crimes," a Blakeman spokesperson said.

Jody Kass, member of the group Nassau Residents for Good Government:

"Nassau residents will not be protected by this legislation. It will not be in any way effective in combating antisemitism," Kass said. "Politicians get to announce that they are fighting antisemitism, while peddling sham legislation that won’t actually fight antisemitism."

The bill passed in the Legislature last week, 12-0 (seven abstentions). All Republicans voted for the measure.

"Unless someone has a medical condition or a religious imperative, people should not be allowed to cover their face in a manner that hides their identity when in public," Blakeman said after the bill's passage.