Effective Thursday, Governor Kathy Hochul will allow the state mask mandate for indoor public places such as restaurants, stores, gyms, theaters and offices to expire.
Masking remains mandatory for bus and train stations, prisons, state-regulated care settings and homeless shelters.
The requirement for masks in schools will be reevaluated and could be lifted March 7.
Cortland County Health Director Nicole Anjeski explained that there is no local mask requirement, but she encourages everyone to continue to use the mitigation strategies that are critical to decreasing the spread of COVID-19.
Anjeski lists wearing a mask in public places, getting your COVID initial and booster vaccinations, to get tested and to stay away from others when you are ill.
There is a different story in Tompkins County. The Health Department will stay with its local mask advisory since it is a high transmission area. You are encouraged to wear a mask when indoors and around others, and they ask local businesses to ask the same of their customers.
The Phillips Library continues to require mask-wearing at the library for anyone age 2 and older.
As a reminder – The SUNY Cortland COVID test site remains open weekdays 8:30 to 4 at the Chugger Davis Building. Appointments are encouraged.
About 23.4% of children 5-11 years old in Cortland County are vaccinated, compared to more than 53.2% of those 12-17. Two people tested positive in our county Sunday, and one person was admitted to the hospital.
