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Photos: New York Ends Indoor Mask Mandate — But Not For All

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the state's indoor mask mandate and vaccine requirements will be lifted, but mandates in schools will stay.

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Pedestrians walk past a sign Wednesday asking patrons to wear a mask in New York. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday that the state will end a COVID-19 mask mandate requiring face coverings in most indoor public settings.
Pedestrians walk past a sign Wednesday asking patrons to wear a mask in New York. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday that the state will end a COVID-19 mask mandate requiring face coverings in most indoor public settings. (Seth Wenig/AP)

NEW YORK, NY — Mask restrictions were lifted for many New Yorkers — but not all — after an emergency order was allowed to expire this week.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said Wednesday the state's indoor mask mandate and vaccine requirements have come to an end but that school mask mandates will stay.

Although the mandate has been lifted, masks will still be required in some places in New York, including health care facilities, shelters and public transit, according to an Associated Press report.

Find out what's happening in New York Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The indoor mask mandate was set to expire Thursday, leaving decisions regarding indoor mask requirements or vaccine requirements up to local governments.

Likewise, businesses will be able to enforce their own masking rules for employees and customers, according to an Associated Press report.

Find out what's happening in New York Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The mask-and-vaccine mandate was enacted Dec. 10 as the spread of the coronavirus's omicron variant began to peak in New York City.

In her news briefing Wednesday, Hochul said infection rates and hospitalizations have declined to the point where it is safe to lift the order.

Hochul said New York will consider continuing the mask mandate in schools in the first week of March, just after winter break for many students across the state.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announces on Wednesday that the state will end a COVID-19 mandate requiring face coverings in most indoor public settings but will keep masking rules in place in schools for now. (Office of the Governor of New York via AP)
A man wears a mask while looking at the lower Manhattan skyline from a park in New York on Wednesday. (Seth Wenig/AP)
People wear masks while walking through an indoor shopping area in New York on Wednesday. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday the state will end a COVID-19 mask mandate requiring face coverings in most indoor public settings but will keep masking rules in place in schools for now. (Seth Wenig/AP)
A woman adjusts her mask as she leaves a park in New York on Wednesday. (Seth Wenig/AP)
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul listens as President Joe Biden speaks Jan. 31 during a meeting with the National Governors Association in the East Room of the White House. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
A sign Wednesday asks shoppers to wear masks in New York. (Seth Wenig/AP)
A shopper wears a mask Wednesday in a market in New York. (Seth Wenig/AP)

Some people wear masks while others do not while visiting a park in New York on Wednesday. (Seth Wenig/AP)
Shoppers wear masks Wednesday while walking through an indoor market in New York. (Seth Wenig/AP)

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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