New York Joins Growing List of States Removing Mask Mandates in New Phase of COVID-19 Pandemic

New York on Wednesday joined a growing group of states moving to drop mask mandates as coronavirus cases decline.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said she will end New York’s mask-or-vaccine requirement for indoor businesses as the state enters a “new phase” of the pandemic.

“Given the declining cases, given declining hospitalizations, that is why we feel comfortable to lift this in effect tomorrow,” Hochul said, adding that businesses can still choose to require masks.

The mandate, which was put into place roughly two months ago, required businesses to ask customers for proof of vaccination or to wear masks when indoors except while eating or drinking.

Hochul noted that the state’s mask requirement for schools will remain in place and be reevaluated in early March.

“The federal government has not given guidance, so we have to be very thoughtful because we know that as New Yorkers, others will be following our lead and how we manage the situation in this new phase,” Hochul said.

The decision does not supersede rules in place in New York City.

The move follows announcements from other Democratic governors in New Jersey, California, Oregon, Connecticut and Delaware to remove their school or indoor mask mandates.

And more states are joining the list. In Massachusetts, Gov. Charlie Baker announced on Wednesday that the state will lift its mask mandate for schools and child care settings on Feb. 28.

But federal health officials still recommend universal masking in schools and wearing masks indoors in public when in an area of substantial or high coronavirus transmission. Every single state is experiencing a “high” level of community transmission, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“At this time, we continue to recommend masking in areas of high and substantial transmission,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said at a press conference on Wednesday. “That's much of the country right now in public indoor settings, and so we're, of course, taking a close look at this in real time, and we're evaluating rates of transmission as well as rates of severe outcomes as we look at updating and reviewing our guidance.”

However, Walensky did note that such decisions are made at the local level.