Port Chester Schools Drop Mask Mandate

PORT CHESTER, NY — Following Gov. Kathy Hochul's decision to lift the statewide school mask mandate, face coverings will be optional in Port Chester schools beginning March 2, district officials announced Sunday afternoon.

Though students, faculty and staff in all district buildings won't be required to wear face coverings anymore, parents and guardians can still choose to send their child to school masked, the district said on Facebook.

"Please speak with your children regarding this decision," the post reads. "This is a decision that must be treated with mutual respect by all."

Read more: School Mask Mandate To Be Lifted In NY Wednesday: Hochul

But masks will still be required on school buses, which the district said adheres to federal rules and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

District officials said they're "waiting for further clarification" on bus mask-wearing and will update the community once they have more information.

Hochul announced her decision to lift the mandate on Sunday, and cited a 98 percent drop in COVID-19 cases statewide — from 90,000 positive cases on Jan. 7 to 1,671 on Sunday.

"The day has come," Hochul said on Sunday. "We are lifting the statewide mask requirements as of Wednesday."