Cuomo: 'No mask, no entry' rule OK for businesses

Business owners in New York will be able to deny entry to people not wearing masks or face coverings, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Thursday.

The promised executive order from Cuomo comes as restrictions on shops are beginning to loosen around the state, though not yet in New York City.

"We're giving the store owners the right to say, 'If you're not wearing a mask, you can't come in," Cuomo said at his daily briefing.

Cuomo said his new order will reduce conflicts between shop owners and customers who refuse to cover their faces.

Many stores already require patrons to wear masks. But Ted Potrikus of the Retail Council of New York State said the order "gives retailers helpful authorization to say, "This is our policy, you can't come in."'

Face coverings are already required in New York when people are out in public and near others.