ALBANY, N.Y. — The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) on Friday said its mask mandate for the state’s health-care facilities will end on Sunday, Feb. 12.
This COVID-19 advisory is aligning the state’s guidance with the latest federal recommendation from the CDC, NYSDOH said in its Friday announcement.
The department sent the advisory to hospitals, nursing homes, home health care and hospice agencies, and diagnostic and treatment centers.
“March 1st represents 3 years since the first COVID-19 case was identified in New York,” Dr. James McDonald, acting state health commissioner, said. “Health-care workers statewide have performed consistently and heroically throughout this pandemic, and have used masking and other personal protective equipment to protect themselves and their patients. The pandemic is not over, yet we are moving to a transition. As we do, and with safe and effective vaccines, treatments, and more, we are able to lift the State’s masking requirement in health-care settings as operators now develop and implement their own facility-specific plans, in accordance with federal CDC guidance and the level of transmission in their areas.”