New York’s statewide mask mandate in schools will expire on Wednesday, March 2, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Sunday.
The move comes as Covid-19 infections and hospitalizations have dropped over the past month and following new guidance from the federal government, the governor told reporters in Albany.
“My friends, the day has come. Today we are going to be announcing that we’ll be lifting the statewide mask requirement in schools,” Hochul said during a Feb. 27 press conference.
The state will leave it up to counties whether they still want to keep masks on inside schools, the governor said, especially in those areas of the Empire State with higher transmission rates.
“We will allow them the flexibility to determine what’s best for their county. We would encourage them to take a look at this and follow the CDC but this will no longer be a mandate,” Hochul said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday published new guidance for counties to determine their Covid-19 measures.
Depending on infection rates, hospitalizations, and hospital bed capacity, the CDC assesses the risk by grouping areas into three “community levels”: low, medium, or high, and only recommends indoor mask wearing at the high level.
Masks will continue to be required in some settings, including healthcare and group home facilities, correctional facilities, public transit and airports, as well as shelters.
This story first appeared on amNY.com.
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