Masks Are Now Optional On NYC Subways, MTA, Hochul Says

NEW YORK CITY — Masks will be optional on New York City's subways and MTA mass transit, Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a dramatic change to the state's COVID rules.

Hochul on Wednesday announced the state will immediately ease masking rules for airports, for-hire vehicles, shelters, correctional facilities and the MTA, which includes buses, Metro-North and the Long Island Rail Road.

“Basically, we’ll be going from mandatory to optional,” she said.

Face coverings have been mandatory on the city's subways and buses for 28 months as a way to stop the coronavirus' spread. And yellow masking signs have become a common sight in such areas.

Those signs will be replaced, Hochul said, as she unveiled new signage that New Yorkers can expect to see in MTA subway stations.

"Masks are encouraged, but optional," the signs state.

The state's updated mask guidance aligns with new CDC advice, as well the deployment of variant-specific COVID-19 booster shots, Hochul said.

Variant boosters of Moderna's vaccine are available for anyone 12 and older and 18 and up for the Pfizer vaccine, officials said. People can text their ZIP Code to 438829, call 1-800-232-0233 or visit vaccines.gov to find sites that provide those boosters.

Mary Bassett, the state's health commissioner, said the boosters will provide more protection against the coronavirus.

"If it's been more than two months since you got your last shot, you're 12 or over, you should get boosted at this time," she said.

Hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities will continue to have mask requirements in place, officials said.

Hochul said she expects many New Yorkers will continue to wear masks on subways, outdoors and other places.

“That is their choice, we encourage them to do that,” she said.