New York School Mask Mandate to End Wednesday

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that the statewide school mask requirement will end this week.

Hochul Sunday afternoon said the mandate will be lifted effective Wednesday.

In making the announcement, the governor noted Covid-19 cases have declined by 98 percent since peak linked to the Omicron variant.

Hochul also cited revised guidance by the Centers for Disease Control in ending the school masking directive in New York.

The move includes children two years of age and older in childcare facilities.

The governor said New York counties may still require masks in schools. She said parents and guardiana may continue to choose to send their kids to school in masks.

Hochul said the state "is moving in the right direction in our fight" against Covid. She said New York has recorded the lowest seven-day average of pediatric cases since July before the start of the current school year.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.