Soon after, New York City Mayor Eric Adams stated that the mandate to vaccinate bars, restaurants, and theaters could be lifted as early as March 7.
According to the governor’s office, the decision to repeal the mask mandate was made after an analysis of key COVID-19 trends and after consulting with experts in health and education, parents, teachers, and school administrators.
Hochul stated that while the state’s mandate will be lifted and local officials will retain the authority to require masks indoors for their children, Hochul explained. Parents and guardians might still opt to send their children to school wearing masks.
Hochul stated that the state’s COVID-19 positive rate had fallen to its lowest point since the Omicron surge began this winter. The state also had the lowest positivity rates since July 2021, when school started.
The governor also announced that New York will distribute more 20 million test kits to schools in the state.
Hochul stated that masks will be needed in certain settings, such as health care facilities.
Adams announced that he would take a decision to lift the mask mandate from New York City’s public schools on Friday. The city is the largest public school system in the country. Adams said that he would wait until after students have returned to classes for a week following the winter break before deciding whether to lift the mask mandate.
Adams stated that the city’s mandate to get vaccines for bars, restaurants and theaters could be lifted by March 7th provided COVID-19 continues to fall.
Adams tweeted, “We’re taking it this week to allow business owners to adapt while we monitor numbers to ensure that we are making public health decisions for New Yorkers.”
New York City’s municipal workers are still subject to vaccine mandates.
Hochul’s and Adams’ announcements were made just two days after the Centers for Disease Control stated that hiding and social ditancing is only required in high-risk areas.
Friday’s CDC statement stated that people living in counties with “medium” or higher risk for severe diseases, such as those with compromised immune systems, should wear masks. The CDC advised that masks should be worn indoors by people living in areas with high risk — approximately 28.2% of Americans who live in such counties.
