The CDC has eased federal mask guidance in new guidelines released Friday, essentially saying that most Americans needn’t wear masks in indoor public settings unless there’s a heightened risk of severe disease or health system strain.
The agency is still advising that people, including schoolchildren, wear masks where the risk of COVID-19 is high. That’s the situation in about 37% of U.S. counties, where about 28% of Americans reside.
New York City schools will end their outdoor mask mandates starting on Monday, but face coverings will still be required for all students, staff and visitors inside the buildings, even as new guidelines from the CDC no longer recommend them, NBC reported.
The announcement from Chancellor David Banks Friday came ahead of the official CDC announcement, which marks a pivot in core strategy from the Biden administration as it looks to contain severe illness rather than overall infections.
As for New York City schools, there’s no set date to end the indoor masking, which has been in place regardless of vaccination status, at this point. Core COVID protocols like ventilation, distancing, test kit distribution and daily health screening, will also stay in place for now.
“Throughout the pandemic, our schools have remained some of the safest spaces for our students and staff, thanks to our gold standard health and safety protocol,” Banks said in a statement. “I am so pleased that we are able to make this exciting announcement and safely allow students and staff to remove their masks when outdoors at NYC public schools.”
