NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — New York state will no longer require students, summer campers, teachers and staff members to wear masks indoors — unless the CDC objects — but New York City public schools will keep their indoor mask policy in place for now, officials said Friday.
Schools and summer camps will “strongly encourage," but not require, indoor mask use for “students, campers and staff/teachers/counselors who are not fully vaccinated" beginning Monday, June 7, Health Commissioner Howard Zucker wrote in a letter sent to CDC Director Rochelle Walensky.
Non-vaccinated students, campers and staff members will be “encouraged” to wear face coverings in “certain higher-risk circumstances,” Zucker said.
Schools and camps will be allowed to set “stricter standards” at their discretion, he noted. A spokesperson for New York City's Department of Education on Friday said the agency would keep its current policy in place for now.
"The health and safety of our students, educators and staff remain our top priority," the spokesperson said in a statement provided to 1010 WINS. "Per State guidance, local districts may implement standards that make the most sense for their communities, as we are continuing with our universal mask policy at our schools."
Masks are not currently required outdoors at schools and camps, Zucker said in his letter. The state will hold off on implementing the new policy if the CDC raises concerns, he added.
“If there is any data or science that you are aware of that contradicts moving forward with this approach, please let me know as soon as possible,” he wrote. “We plan to make this guidance effective on Monday, June 7.”