That’s the order from NY Governor Hochul as of March 2nd….
Masks will NOT be required to be worn outside OR inside schools by state order….
Local officals may change the rule….
It’s news students, parents and teachers have long been waiting to hear: schools in New York will no longer be required to enforce an indoor mask mandate starting Wednesday.
Gov. Kathy Hochul unveiled the news Sunday during a rare weekend press conference, citing the latest advice from the CDC as well as overwhelming evidence the omicron surge is in the rearview for New York.
A drop in new cases of COVID-19 by a whopping 98% since omicron’s peak in early January, whose highest single-day total skyrocketed past 90,000 cases, is one of several improving metrics that the governor says supports lifting restrictions. She also pointed to a drop in hospitalizations and “strong vaccination rates.”
Counties and cities, the governor stipulated, will still have the authority to require masks in schools after the statewide order expires this week. Parents and guardians can also still send their kids to school in masks regardless of the change.
Students and teachers returning from mid-winter break on Monday are guaranteed to have at least two more days of face coverings in the classroom until the statewide order lifts. But all eyes turn to local leaders now to see who will keep local orders in place beyond the state’s….
Update….
NY City School’s will follow the state annouced no mask requirement as of March 7th….