In New York, vaccination requirements and mask regime have been canceled: what you need to know

For the first time in almost two years, parents can send their children to school in New York without a face mask. The removal of masks comes almost two years after the day the World Health Organization declared this pandemic, reports NBC New York.

Also starting March 7, New York City businesses no longer need to check customer vaccination status at the door. They may continue to do so at their own discretion, just as individual school districts may choose stricter mask standards. But the radical rules are over.

Decisions to remove masks in schools were quickly approved by a number of teachers' unions. Educational Association New Jersey said she was "cautiously optimistic." It would have been safe if the trends had continued when Gov. Phil Murphy first announced his plans. And in New York, the United Federation of Teachers agreed to a switch to an "optional mask system" after post-holiday testing showed no spike in cases.

Over 20 million rapid tests given to children

Face masks are still required for NYC students under age 5 who are eligible for vaccinations. This affects some grades up to K, all grades 3-K, and many childcare programs overseen by the Department of Health.

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Parents can still send their kids to school wearing masks if they want to. Schools will also have face masks, convenient for anyone who chooses to wear a mask. Mayor of New York Eric Adams acknowledged that it may take some time to feel comfortable without masks in certain conditions. He added that the city fully supports their right to freedom of action.

Kindergarten children or older or staff who return to school after testing positive for COVID or experiencing symptoms must also wear masks until 10 days have passed since diagnosis or onset of symptoms.

Programs that include mixed-age students in groups, such as kindergarten for 4 and 5-year-olds, or mixed-age after-school programs, should probably still retain the full mandate to ensure consistency. Several programs sent email notifications to parents on March 3, after a city hall official announced the mayor's scheduled March 4 announcement about the policy.

Public schools will continue to implement basic precautions such as surveillance and thorough cleaning, as well as weekly testing. Nearly 90 students and staff are randomly tested every week as part of the city's COVID safety plan. More than 000 million rapid tests have been given to children to take home.

Vaccination confirmation is not required

The mayor also suspended the city's "Key2NYC" policy, which currently requires all people aged 5 and over to show proof of vaccination to enter most public places such as restaurants, bars, gyms and grocery stores starting Monday.

Businesses in the five boroughs will also not have to check vaccine cards at the door starting next week, although they can continue to do so if they wish.

Adams, who has spoken of a city in need of a more complete return to a pre-pandemic lifestyle, revealed his plans earlier this week after the CDC changed its mask recommendations. The situation has improved even further since the CDC has now stated that 90% of the US population should no longer wear masks indoors. When the agency made its announcement last week, the rate was over 70%.

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However, the city's need for vaccines has not changed. All private sector workers in New York City are still required to be fully vaccinated, in accordance with an executive order passed by former Mayor Bill de Blasio late last year.

Masks are still required on public transport

Also unchanged: mask rules for public transport. Asked on March 5 whether he would waive subway mask rules if the CDC changes its guidance on transportation services when he returns to the matter next week, Adams says it's too early to make a decision.

New York Gov. Katie Hokul gave no indication of her plans for state transit regulations in the event the CDC recommends looser mask rules for public transit in the coming weeks. The state and city take responsibility for running the MTA, so any change in policy will reflect the agreement between them.

Mandates designed and put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19 are being lifted during a major pandemic milestone. It has been more than two years since the first case was reported in New York City on March 1, 2020.