Patchwork of mask requirements as New York emerges from COVID-19 | The Daily Gazette SECTIONS ERICA MILLER/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Sign of the times: A sign greets visitors to Lake George in May 2020. A year later, mask requirements are being dropped for some people in some circumstances. Shares0 CAPITAL REGION — New York’s uniform policy of face masks to fight COVID-19 is being replaced by a patchwork of voluntary opt-in, voluntary opt-out and mandatory mask-up. New York state on Monday followed federal guidance issued late last week and said starting Wednesday, anyone fully vaccinated against COVID need not wear a mask — with a laundry list of caveats: