NYC to lift school mask mandate and indoor vaccine requirements

Mayor Eric Adams announced his plans to lift the school mask mandate in New York City by March 7 if the number of COVID cases remains low. The mayor would also eliminate vaccine requirements for indoor dining, gyms, and indoor entertainment. 

The removal of pandemic-related restrictions comes after New York City made significant progress in fighting the recent spike in COVID cases. The city was able to lift virus restrictions due to the mass distribution of COVID tests and high vaccination rates. Currently, almost 83 percent of adult New Yorkers have been fully vaccinated, according to Gov. Hochul’s update.   

The mayor said that he wants to thank millions of New Yorkers who have gotten vaccinated to help stop the spread. The rollback on virus restrictions would also give businesses time to adapt and continue their path towards recovery. 

Earlier, Gov. Hochul said she will lift the state mask mandate for schools starting on March 2, 2022. Almost 52 percent of the city’s public school students are fully vaccinated, 6 sqft reports. 

"With more New Yorkers getting vaccinated, and the steady decline over the past several weeks in cases and hospitalizations from Omicron, we are now entering a new phase of the pandemic. Because New Yorkers have stepped up, we can confidently remove the statewide mask requirement in our schools," Governor Hochul said in the statement released with the plan.

 "This is a huge step forward for our kids and communities and I am grateful to the students, educators and parents for their dedication to keeping us all safe - we've reached this milestone because of your hard work." 

While most state and city officials rush to move forward and focus on economic recovery, a strong majority of New Yorkers wants to wait for more data before lifting school mask requirements. 

The new poll released by Siena College Research Institute shows that 58 percent of respondents prefer to wait for early March data before deciding whether to remove the school mask mandate. One-third of New Yorkers say that the school mask mandate should have been lifted already, and 10 percent want it to end after this week’s school break. 

Resources:

“Adams to end school mask mandate, most indoor vaccine requirements on March 7,” by Aaron Ginsburg (6sqft, 2022)

“Mayor Adams' Statement on Mask Mandates in Schools, Vaccine Mandates Across NYC,” (NYC, 2022)

“New York City says it will end the school mask mandate and indoor vaccination requirements.” by Grace Ashford, Eliza Shapiro and Emma G. Fitzsimmons (The New York Times, 2022)

“Governor Hochul Announces Plan to End State Mask Requirement in Schools Starting March 2,” (Governor Kathy Hochul, 2022)

“Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19,” (Governor Kathy Hochul, 2022)

“Strong Majority (58%) Want Early March Data Before Lifting School Mask Mandate; Plurality (45%) Still Want Indoor Public Mask Mandate,” (Siena College Research Institute, 2022