You are reading

State Mask Mandate for Businesses to Expire Thursday But School Rule Remains in Place

Feb. 9, 2022 By Christian Murray

New York State’s indoor mask mandate will come to an end Thursday, although it will remain in effect for schools until at least early March.

The mandate for businesses is being dropped statewide Thursday, although local governments and businesses have the option to continue to keep the mask rules in place, Gov. Kathy Hochul said during a press briefing Wednesday.

“At this time, we say that it’s the right decision to lift this mandate for indoor businesses and let counties, cities and businesses to make their own decisions on what they want to do with respect to mask or vaccination requirement,” she said.

In New York City, proof of vaccination is still required to dine indoors as well as to work out at gyms and go to the movies. That requirement, implemented through an executive order by the mayor, remains in place for now.

Hochul put in place a state mask-or-vaccine mandate in December, requiring businesses to ask for proof of full vaccination or require mask-wearing at all times. The requirement came when there was a surge in cases as the Omicron variant took hold.

Hochul said she would make a decision concerning the school mask mandate during the first week of March. She wants to wait until after the mid-winter break before making a final decision.

She said that she would not take a “reactive” approach to masking in schools. Currently, the vaccination rate among New York residents between 5-11 years old remains low. More than 60 percent have not been fully vaccinated.

Masks will continue to be required at nursing homes, correctional facilities, homeless shelters and on public transit.

email the author: news@queenspost.com

One Comment

Click for Comments 
Captain Obvious

The least effected are the ones penalized the most with mask mandates. Makes sense. About as much sense as rewarding obese people with free doughnuts if they got the shot. Such bizarre times.

10
Reply

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Street co-naming in Briarwood honors legacy of Jack ‘Giacomo’ Virdone, longtime pizzeria owner and community advocate

Apr. 21, 2025 By Ramy Mahmoud and QNS News Team

In a heartfelt tribute to a beloved neighborhood figure, city officials, family members and community leaders gathered Saturday, April 19, to co-name the intersection of Queens Boulevard and 84th Drive in Briarwood after the late Jack “Giacomo” Virdone, the longtime owner of Alba’s Pizzeria and a pillar of the local community.

Cannabis van shut down near Jewish school and park in Elmhurst, three arrested: DA

Three people were taken into custody for operating an illegal mobile cannabis dispensary on Woodhaven Boulevard underneath the Long Island Expressway near the playground at Hoffman Park and the Jewish Institute of Queens school in Elmhurst in response to community complaints, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Monday.

The van had been operating in Rego Park and Elmhurst in recent weeks, and detectives from the DA’s office conducted a series of undercover purchases at the van. The NYPD and the New York City Sheriff’s Office executed a court-authorized search warrant on Wednesday, April 16.