Yesterday, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the statewide order requiring face masks to be worn in schools will be lifted on Wednesday, March 2^nd. Counties and local governments will now have the authority to require mask wearing in school settings. Cases of COVID-19 have dropped by over 97% since the peak of the omicron wave in mid-January. In response to this decision, Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I-Sag Harbor) issued the following statement:

“I applaud the Governor’s decision to lift the current statewide requirement on masks in schools,” said Assemblyman Thiele. "With the spread of the virus now at low levels, this decision came at a time that is safe and in accordance with the expertise of our state and nation’s leading scientists. As the Chair of the Assembly Committee on Local Governments, I believe that it is our duly elected local officials who have the best understanding of the unique needs of the communities in which they serve. With the lifting of this order, local governments, the level of government closest to the people, will rightfully be given the authority to decide what is in the best interests of our mutual constituents.”