New guidance: New York won't lift mask mandate in schools, yet

ALBANY - No, New York is not yet lifting its mask mandate in schools.

The state Education Department on Sunday emailed guidance to the roughly 700 New York school districts that said state agencies have agreed to wait until the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention responds to the state's request Friday for more information before lifting the COVID-19 mask mandate in schools.

"No changes have been, or will be, made by the Executive until after Monday, June 7 to afford the CDC an opportunity to respond to the letter," the Education Department wrote.

The updated guidance from the Education Department appears aimed at addressing confusion from schools after the state Department of Health on Friday abruptly notified the CDC that New York intends to lift its statewide mask requirement for schools on Monday.

"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. We plan to make this guidance effective on Monday, June 7," Health Commissioner Howard Zucker wrote to the CDC.

The state Education Department told districts Sunday that since no response has been received from the CDC on New York's plan to lift the mask mandate, it will not change its policy for schools that requires students and staff to wear masks indoors and outdoors.

"According to conversations with Executive staff, the intent of this letter was to obtain a response from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) regarding differing standards for summer camps and schools; it has not changed any existing arrangements," the state Education Department said of Zucker's letter released Friday by Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office.

"Therefore, schools should continue to operate under their existing procedures until further notice."

In his letter Friday, Zucker said that starting Monday, New York was prepared to alter its policy so mask use in schools would be "strongly encouraged," but no longer required — even if the student or teacher is not fully vaccinated.

"Indoors, mask use will be strongly encouraged but not required for students, campers, and staff/teachers/counselors who are not fully vaccinated," Zucker wrote. 

"Outdoors, masks are not required; students, campers, and staff/teachers/counselors who are not fully vaccinated are 'encouraged' to wear a mask in certain higher-risk circumstances."

Still, Zucker's letter indicated that New York wanted clarification from the CDC on mask use for students and staff indoors and outdoors and whether it is consistent with federal policies for summer camps, which has limited outdoor mask policies.

But without an immediate response from the CDC, state officials Sunday said the mask policies that were put in place last year would remain until the federal clarification is provided.

Cuomo was under pressure, particularly from Republicans, to lift the mask mandate in schools in the waning weeks of the school year, with critics saying it was unfair to keep the restrictions while most mask requirements were dropped last month.

Republicans hailed the decision late Friday by Zucker, even as schools were left confused over how to proceed and were contemplating their own district by district policies.

Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro ripped the state's changing stance, saying it is leaving parents and schools with uncertainty.

“New York intentionally misled people causing unnecessary confusion, conflict and chaos. The State must end the confusion and restore local authority," Molinaro, the GOP candidate for governor in 2018, said Sunday.

"This decision should be put in the hands parents who know their children and  circumstances best.”

The New York State United Teachers union on Friday urged districts to proceed cautiously, even as COVID rates in communities wane.

"Short of any additional guidance from the state or the CDC before Monday, we implore school districts to closely evaluate local conditions and connect with their educators and parents to decide the best course of action for protecting their school community," the union wrote.

More:State rules requiring masks in schools have not yet changed, Cuomo aide says

More:New York to lift COVID mask mandate in schools beginning Monday

Joseph Spector is the Government and Politics Editor for the USA TODAY Network's Atlantic Group, overseeing coverage in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware. He can be reached at JSPECTOR@Gannett.com or followed on Twitter: @GannettAlbany

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