Gov. Kathy Hochul has scrapped the mask-wearing edict for anyone entering hospitals and nursing homes — evidence that health officials believe that the deadly COVID-19 pandemic has faded as a strong public health threat.
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“We are in a period of transition … COVID is a treatable, preventable disease,” said acting state Health Commissioner James McDonald in announcing the change.
The mask mandate for health facilities is over, effective this Sunday, Feb. 12.
McDonald on Thursday told members of the state policymaking board — the Public Health and Health Planning Council — that he would not ask them to vote to renew the mask-wearing mandate as a public health emergency rule, as officials had in the past.
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