Gov. Hochul of New York said she was still monitoring virus data before making a similar call.
Connecticut will permit students and staff members to stop wearing masks in schools by no later than Feb.28, after Gov. Ned Lamont recommended Monday that the statewide mask mandate end on that date. His remarks came after a move by New Jersey officials earlier Monday to lift that state’s mask mandate for schools. “Now is the time for us to say, the statewide mask mandate is no longer at our level,” said Governor Lamont. “Each and every mayor, each and every superintendent can make that call themselves. I recommend the date Feb.28.” Connecticut’s mask mandate for schools will expire next Tuesday unless the legislature agrees to extend the governor’s pandemic emergency powers. One of those powers allows officials from the Departments of Education and Public Health to decide rules around masks. Governor Lamont last month asked the legislature to extend some of the orders he issued using his emergency powers, but no decision has been made. If the legislature extends the powers, he said, “we would have the discretion to make the change we’re talking about, which is ending the mask mandate in schools and our day care facilities.” The governor decided against letting the mandate end next week so that officials could continue monitoring cases in the event that another spike in cases occurs. He also wanted the change to occur after winter break, so students would have a “fresh start” and so schools could better prepare. Unvaccinated people in Connecticut are currently required to wear masks in all indoor public spaces, while vaccinated people have to wear them in certain indoor settings, like schools and hospitals. The rate for fully vaccinated Connecticut residents ages 5 to 11 is 34 percent, and 74 percent for those ages 12 to 17, according to a New York Times database.
