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Mayor Adams' Statement on Mask Requirements for 2-4 Year Olds

March 22, 2022

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today released the following statement regarding mask mandates in schools and daycare centers for 2- to 4-year-old children:

“I have always said that the science will guide us out of the pandemic, and because we have followed the data, we are winning the fight against COVID-19. New York City is currently in a low-risk environment.

“It’s now been two weeks since we removed the mask mandate for K-12 public school children, and our percent positivity in schools has, thankfully, remained low. Each day, we review the data, and if we continue to see low levels of risk, then, on Monday, April 4, we will make masks optional for 2-4 year old children in schools and daycare settings. This will allow us sufficient time to evaluate the numbers and make sound decisions for our youngest New Yorkers. We must get this right for the health of our kids, and I refuse to jeopardize their safety by rushing a decision.

“Our schools have been among the safest places for our children since the beginning of the pandemic, and we will only remove this requirement if the science says that it is safe to do so. I’ve said it before: I’m with New York City parents and New Yorkers can trust this administration to continue to make the proper public health decisions to keep our kids safe.

“We will additionally continue to make masks available for any child or school staff member who wishes to continue wearing them.”

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