New York state school mask mandate will end Wednesday

New York Governor Kathy Hochul said Sunday that the statewide school mask mandate will end Wednesday. Shortly afterward, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said the vaccine mandate for bars, restaurants and theaters could end as soon as March 7.

The governor's office said the decision to end the mask mandate was based on "the analysis of several key COVID-19 data trends and after consulting with health and education experts, as well as parents, teachers and school administrators." 

The state's mandate will be lifted, but local officials will still maintain the authority to require masks indoors, Hochul said. Parents and guardians may still choose to send their children to school in masks as well.