Chotoqua County, New York (WKBW)-Some county leaders in western New York have vowed not to implement the statewide mask-wearing regulations issued by Governor Casey Hochell last Friday.

PJ Wendel, the chief executive of Chautokwa County, told 7 Eyewitness News that he is not opposed to wearing a mask, but is opposed to this provision.

Wendell said that he will not crack down on companies or individuals that do not comply with the regulations.

"We will not impose monetary, criminal or civil penalties on those who fail to comply," Wendell replied.

Wendell said that the governor and the New York State Department of Health (DOH) did not issue any warnings to the county administration regarding the upcoming statewide mandatory requirements for masks.

But Governor Hochul said in response to reporters’ questions on this topic on Monday that some county leaders actually asked her for support on this topic.

"Some county administrators asked us to do this," Governor Hochul replied. "I even received calls from some more remote areas."

But the governor said that she will leave the statewide authorization to enterprises.

"I didn't try to take drastic measures," Hochul said.

Hochul said that she hopes companies can perform this, and individuals will understand the importance of this task.

"We hope the counties will implement it. We expect them to do so. We hope they will. This is in the best interest of public health," Hochul replied.

Hochul pointed out that the mask regulation is only a "temporary measure" and will be reassessed on January 15.

On Friday, Hochul said that with the increase in COVID cases and hospitalizations across the state, she has no choice but to take major actions.

She also pointed out that companies can choose to require vaccinations instead of wearing masks.

"We have left it to the counties to implement," Hochul pointed out.

7 Senior Witness News reporter Eileen Buckley asked Wendel in Chotoqua County whether not supporting this mission would harm the business.

"I have many different questions about this," Wendell replied. "Whether this will hurt our business, because it is not supported, some people will say yes. Others will say that it allows our business to continue to grow, and thus helps them."

Wendell criticized the state government and the governor for failing to explain the criminal behavior of non-compliance.

"We don't know where the punishment is. These questions have not yet been answered," Wendell said. "We didn't enforce it. We won't punish those who are struggling enough financially."

But Wendell said that he does encourage the wearing of masks and vaccinations.

The health departments of Genesee County and Orleans County also announced on Monday that they will not enforce the regulations on wearing masks.

"Genesee and Orleans County Health Department (go health) will continue to focus on providing free vaccination and testing clinics and conducting case investigations," said Genesee and Orleans Public Health Director Paul Pettit. "We do not have the ability to enforce the mask directive. At this point in response to the pandemic, enforcement of the directive is not the best use of our limited resources. As we have done in accordance with CDC guidelines throughout the pandemic, we Residents will continue to be advised to wear masks properly indoors when they cannot maintain social/physical distance."

Rochelle Stein, chairperson of the Genesee County Legislature, said: "As we did during the last surge, Genesee County will work with our communities to take measures to address the benefits of masks and social distancing. Carry out cooperative education."

"In Orleans County, we will continue to focus our county resources on vaccinations, contact tracing, testing, and efforts to keep children going to school," said Lynn Johnson, chair of the Orleans County Legislature. "This week we held two clinics, one for testing and one for booster injections. We continue to seek more testing resources from the state because we believe that identifying and isolating those who test positive is currently the biggest need to reduce transmission. ."

Yili County issued its own mask directive in November. But the Yili County Health Department announced on Monday that it has not issued any fines for mask regulations so far.