Photo Courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office
“If we see no unforeseen spikes and our numbers continue to show a low level of risk, New York City will remove the indoor mask mandate for public school children, effective next Monday, March 7,” Mayor Adams said.
By Michael V. Cusenza
It may seem dim, and still thousands of miles off in the distance—but at least the proverbial light has been seen at the end of a long, dark tunnel filled with beset city school parents.
On Sunday, Mayor Eric Adams released the following statement regarding mask mandates in schools and vaccines mandates across the five boroughs:
“More than a million New York City school children will return to class tomorrow after a week off. At the end of this week, we will evaluate the numbers and make a final announcement on Friday. If we see no unforeseen spikes and our numbers continue to show a low level of risk, New York City will remove the indoor mask mandate for public school children, effective next Monday, March 7. Our schools have been among the safest places for our children since the beginning of the pandemic, and we will continue to make the proper public health decisions to keep our kids safe, including making masks available for any child or school staff member who wishes to continue wearing them.
Photo Courtesy of Councilwoman Ariola
Adams announcement came just three days after Councilwoman Ariola penned a letter to Hizzoner, calling on him to rescind the mask mandate in schools.
“Additionally, New York City’s numbers continue to go down day after day, so, as long as COVID indicators show a low level of risk and we see no surprises this week, on Monday, March 7 we will also lift Key2NYC requirements. This will give business owners the time to adapt and will allow us to ensure we are making the best public health decisions for the people of New York.
“All other vaccine mandates in New York City will remain in place at this time as they are, and have been, vital to protecting New Yorkers.”
Adams much-anticipated announcement came just three days after City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) penned a letter to Hizzoner, calling on him to rescind the mask mandate in schools.
“Like you, I am a person who follows the science. Currently, we have a COVID positivity rate of 1.81 percent in our state. This drop has caused Gov. Hochul to lift the indoor mask mandates across the state. Still, our children continue to be mandated to wear masks for over six hours a day, without a break,” Ariola wrote.
Governor Kathy Hochul lifted the school mask requirement on Wednesday, March 2. Additionally, Catholic schools in Queens and Brooklyn made face coverings an individual choice for school personnel and a parental choice for all students effective March 2.
