Gov. Kathy Hochul is likely to announce an extension of the statewide mask mandate for schools before the scheduled expiration later this month, according to a report Monday.
The rule requiring that students, teachers and other personnel wear face coverings to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is set to lapse on Feb. 21 “but is expected to be renewed,” a Health Department spokeswoman told the Albany Times Union.
The mandate will likely remain in place beyond February, the Times Union said.
It was initially set to last 90 days but it’s unclear if a renewal would last the same length of time.
Another statewide rule that requires businesses without vaccination mandates to compel workers, customers and visitors to wear masks is set to expire Thursday but will not be extended, the Times Union said.
Hochul said earlier in the day that she planned to announce the future of the state’s mask mandates on Wednesday.
If Hochul extends the mandate on schools, it would buck a trend in which several states — including neighboring New Jersey and Connecticut — plan to end theirs amid declining numbers of COVID-19 cases.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said Monday that he’d lift his requirement on March 7 — calling it “a huge step back to normalcy for our kids” — after which Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said he was extending his only through Feb. 28.
Both governors said local school districts would still be able to impose their own mask mandates.
