FILE — Students wearing masks leave the New Explorations into Science, Technology and Math school in the Lower East Side neighborhood of Manhattan, Dec. 21, 2021, in New York. NEW YORK — New York’s statewide masking requirement in schools will be lifted by March 2, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Sunday, citing a dramatic drop in COVID-19 infections and new federal guidelines.
The pair of announcements signaled an important turning point for the city and state, once an epicenter of the global pandemic.New guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says most Americans can now safely take a break from wearing masks, including students in schools. The CDC guidelines for other indoor spaces aren’t binding, meaning cities and institutions even in areas of low risk may set their own rules. Hochul said counties and cities could keep their own mandates in place, and parents could still choose to send their kids to school in masks.Hochul said Adams was consulted before her announcement, including a conversation earlier Sunday.
The broad mask mandate was implemented during a COVID-19 surge fueled by the omicron variant in December. “We need to continue to be smart and safe, and also modify mandates as COVID risks are reduced. So this will be welcome news to many restaurants and bars, although I wouldn’t be surprised if some businesses want to voluntarily keep it in place.” Andrew Rigie, executive director, NYC Hospitality Alliance, said in a text message to The Associate Press.
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