New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday that she is dropping mask mandates for riders of public transportation statewide, including the Long Island Railroad, Metro-North and New York City subways and buses.
“Starting today, masks will be optional,” she said.
The mandate, which is been in place for over two years, was originally meant to help curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. But following the release of vaccines and booster shots, Hochul said that she decided that the time was right to end the mask requirement.
The mask mandate is also being lifted for correctional facilities and domestic violence shelters, but will still be in effect for state-regulated hospitals and nursing homes.
