New Jersey Governor, Phil Murphy, announced yesterday that all schools statewide will lift their mask mandate beginning March 7th, 2022.
And though other neighboring and nearby states such as Connecticut and Delaware have made similar announcements when their school mask mandates will end, New York has yet to make a decision on whether the mask mandate will be lifted or renewed.
The statewide mask mandate for schools and child care settings will be lifted effective March 7th.
We can responsibly take the step given the continuing drop in new cases and hospitalizations from Omicron, and the continued growth in vaccinations. pic.twitter.com/89CM3Fq4fz
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) February 7, 2022
The New York State mandate was originally set to end on February 21st, however, it is unsure whether Governor Hochul will extend this date prior to the mandate’s expiration.
And though COVID-19 numbers are decreasing in New York, “the decline in [cases and hospitalizations] are cause for celebration and hope, but not complacency,” said Governor Hochul in a recent statement.
According to the New York Post, Health Chief Dr. Mary Bassett shared during a legislative hearing on Tuesday that “there has been no decision made on a date in which the mask mandate in [schools] will end.”
The universal mask requirement for all staff and students across New York State had been announced in August 2021. Now, New Yorkers will have to wait for Governor Hochul’s final decision in the coming days for when schools can expect to lift the mask mandate.