New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced on Thursday, June 9, that the mask mandate in schools and daycare centers for 2 to 4-year-old children will be made optional, effective Monday, June 13.   

 

“I have always said that the science will guide us out of the pandemic, and because we have followed the data, which shows that cases are steadily falling, we‘ve beaten back the latest COVID-19 surge,” Adams said. “New Yorkers stepped up when we needed them most and have put us on the path to lower risk.”

 

The mayor continued, “Throughout the current wave, schools have remained the safest places for our children and beginning Monday, June 13, we will make masks optional for 2 to 4-year-old children in all early childhood settings. We still strongly recommend that New Yorkers of all ages continue to wear masks indoors and we will continue to make masks available for any child or school staff member who wishes to continue wearing them.” 

 

Though the country is going through another pandemic wave, cases in New York City are currently declining, as are hospitalizations and deaths.

 

Adams concluded, “I’m with New York City parents and New Yorkers can trust this administration to continue to make the proper public health decisions to keep our kids safe.”