Adams to scrap NYC vaccine passports, school mask rules barring spike in cases

Vaccine passports will now not be required in New York Metropolis beginning March 7, Mayor Eric Adams mentioned Sunday — and he plans on lifting faculty masks mandates then, too, barring “unexpected spikes” in COVID circumstances.

Adams mentioned he plans on following Gov. Kathy Hochul’s lead in nixing masks in faculties however would make the ultimate dedication this Friday.

“On the finish of this week, we are going to consider the numbers and make a last announcement on Friday. If we see no unexpected spikes and our numbers proceed to indicate a low degree of threat, New York Metropolis will take away the indoor masks mandate for public faculty youngsters,” Hizzoner mentioned in a press release.

However he mentioned beginning March 7, patrons at Large Apple eating places, gyms and indoor venues will now not be required to indicate proof of vaccination.

“Moreover, New York Metropolis’s numbers proceed to go down day after day, so, so long as COVID indicators present a low degree of threat and we see no surprises this week, on Monday, March 7 we will even carry Key2NYC necessities,” the mayor mentioned, referring to guidelines imposed final yr by then-Mayor Invoice de Blasio requiring proof of vaccination for indoor eating, indoor health, indoor leisure and sure assembly areas.

Adams' decision comes after Gov. Kathy Hochul decided to lift school mask mandates in New York state.
Adams’ choice comes after Gov. Kathy Hochul determined to carry faculty masks mandates in New York state.
REUTERS/Carlo Allegri
Adams said the changes will take place unless there is a spike in COVID cases before March 7.
Adams mentioned the adjustments will happen until there's a spike in COVID circumstances earlier than March 7.
Matthew McDermott

Adams mentioned the one-week discover will “give enterprise homeowners the time to adapt.”

Adams’ announcement comes simply hours after Hochul lifted masks mandates in faculties throughout New York beginning Wednesday, citing new COVID tips from the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.

New York Metropolis recorded a mean of 540 new COVID-19 circumstances within the final seven days, in line with metropolis information — down from over 2,000 each day originally of the month.

One DOE supply mentioned she agreed with the mayor’s transfer to nix masks.

“I feel a lot of the employees might be completely happy and the scholars can get again to deal with their training. There's a gentle on the finish of the tunnel,” the DOE worker mentioned. “The extra issues return to regular the earlier they’ll focus extra. They’ve misplaced a lot.”

The tip of the indoor vaccine requirement doesn't imply Kyrie Irving can go well with up for Nets house video games, nonetheless — Irving remains to be required to get vaccinated by the town’s worker vaccine mandate

In his assertion Sunday, Adams made it clear that “all different vaccine mandates in New York Metropolis will stay in place right now as they're, and have been, very important to defending New Yorkers.”

Queens health club proprietor David Plasse cheered information that he would now not must examine his patrons for vaccinations.

“Authorities overreach has been method too loopy for the previous few years,” Plasse mentioned. “At this level, every enterprise ought to be capable to make their very own guidelines based mostly on what they really feel is correct for his or her enterprise.”

Andrew Rigie of the NYC Hospitality Alliance mentioned he expects some institutions to just do that.

“This might be welcome information to many eating places and bars,” Rigie mentioned. “I wouldn’t be shocked if some companies need to voluntarily maintain it in place.”

Further reporting by Elizabeth Rosner, Nolan Hicks and Bernadette Hogan

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