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Zucker's letter on Friday questioned inconsistencies in the CDC guidance regarding mask wearing for children. New York's move to break from federal guidance on schools Monday comes as parents nationally have struggled to weigh COVID-19 risks for younger children still ineligible for vaccines. But it left mask requirements in place for schools in part because COVID-19 vaccines are only approved for ages 12 and older. On May 19, New York lifted its mask mandate to align with federal guidance, allowing those vaccinated against COVID-19 to avoid wearing a face covering in most situations. recently, with a seven-day average well below 1%, and down 93% from the winter surge peak in January. New York state has reported the lowest COVID-19 test positivity rate in the U.S. Officials in New York and nationally have relaxed many pandemic restrictions recently amid declining coronavirus infections. "Short of any additional guidance from the state or the CDC before Monday, we implore school districts to closely evaluate local conditions and connect with their educators and parents to decide the best course of action for protecting their school community," he said in a statement. The policy shift comes after New York officials last week announced kids in child care would not have to wear masks after the order received pushback from lawmakers, parents and care providers.Īndy Pallotta, president of the New York State United Teachers union, questioned why the state announced the new policy on a Friday with just three weeks to go in the school year, calling it "whiplash-inducing news."

The state's new guidance will allow individual school districts to set stricter standards, potentially setting up local battles over whether young, unvaccinated students should be required to cover their face. "Indoors, mask use will be strongly encouraged but not required for students, campers, and staff/teachers/counselors who are not fully vaccinated," Zucker wrote. "Outdoors, masks are not required students, campers, and staff/teachers/counselors who are not fully vaccinated are 'encouraged' to wear a mask in certain higher-risk circumstances." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Starting Monday, mask use in schools will be "strongly encouraged" by the state but no longer required - even if the student or teacher is not fully vaccinated, Zucker wrote in his letter to Rochelle Walensky, director of the U.S. In a letter Friday, state Health Commissioner Howard Zucker revealed he will alter the state's mask requirements for schools to align them with summer camps, removing the mandate for the final days of the academic year and for camps as they get set to begin. Update: The New York State Education Department issued further guidance to school districts on Sunday, making clear the mask mandate will remain in effect Monday as the state waits to hear from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.ĪLBANY - New York will no longer require students, teachers and staff to wear masks inside school buildings beginning Monday, reversing a policy that had been in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Watch Video: Cuomo discusses mask mandate in child care