KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 10): New York City's (NYC) health officials have issued an advisory, strongly urging New Yorkers to use masks.

In an advisory on Friday (Dec 9), NYC health commissioner Dr Ashwin Vasan said in a tweet: "While respiratory viruses are spreading at high levels in NYC, there are common-sense ways to protect yourself and your loved ones this holiday season — vaccination, boosters, wearing a mask indoors or among the crowd, and staying home if you don't feel well,"

Vasan said the mask advisory applies to all individuals in NYC aged two years and older who can medically tolerate wearing a mask.

He said the mask advisory does not apply when an individual is performing an activity that cannot be done while wearing a mask, such as actively eating or drinking.