Masks will no longer be mandatory in New York State schools beginning March 2. During a live conference on Sunday, February 27, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced this in reaction to dropping COVID-19 rates.
COVID-19 levels in New York state are continuing to fall, prompting Governor Hochul to withdraw the mask rule for indoor companies on February 9. Governor Hochul stated that the decision was taken after monitoring statistics, administering millions of exams to pupils in schools, and conferring with CDC specialists, school experts, and representatives of the educational community.
The news comes only days after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) modified their mask recommendations. Masks are not necessary in counties with low to medium risk evaluations, according to the revised standards.
County governments can still choose to require masks in schools, according to Governor Hochul, but the choice should not differ across school districts within a county. Hochul also reminded parents that it is up to them to decide whether or not their children should wear a mask.