New York to End Indoor Mask Mandate in State Schools on Wednesday – NBC New York (47)

It’s news students, parents and teachers have been waiting for a long time: New York schools will no longer be required to enforce the indoor mask mandate beginning Wednesday.

State Governor Kathy Hochul broke the news at a news conference on Sunday, citing the decision in reference to the latest CDC recommendations and that cases of the Omicron variant are down sharply in New York.

New York City schools will end their outdoor mask mandates starting Monday, but face coverings will still be required for all students, staff and visitors inside buildings, even as new guidelines from CDC no longer recommends them.

Friday’s announcement by New York City Education Chancellor David Banks came ahead of the CDC’s official announcement, marking a shift in the Biden administration’s core strategy as it seeks to contain serious disease rather than of general infections.

As for New York City schools, there is no set date to end indoor mask wearing, which has been in effect regardless of vaccination status, at this time. Basic COVID-19 protocols like ventilation, physical distancing, test kit distribution, and daily health screenings will also remain in place for now.

Two COVID-19 home tests have been sent out with New York City students, and the Department of Education urged parents to test their children twice before returning to the classroom.

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