Ban on Plastic Shopping Bags Delayed Until June 15

NEW YORK - They're still coming after your shopping bags but are giving a short grace period as New Yorkers deal with the coronavirus.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Sunday that the delay in enforcing the ban will be extended once again, this time until June 15.

The legislature used their newly progressive majority last year to make New York the second state in the country to have a total ban on single-use plastic shopping bags, presumably on environmental grounds. Local governments are allowed to impose a five cent fee (otherwise called a fine) on paper bags. Three cents will go to the state Environmental Protection Corporation and the rest to the local municipality.

The state postponed enforcement of the ban when the coronavirus pandemic began, since reusable bags are carriers of the virus. The latest delay was until May 15. That was extended Sunday for another month.