US Lifts Mask Mandates One After Another... CDC Also Considering Guideline Changes

New York, Illinois and 2 Other States Lift Mandates
Daily Cases Drop from 900,000 to 180,000

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] U.S. state governments are rushing to announce the lifting of mask mandates, and health authorities have also stated that they are considering changes to mask-wearing guidelines, continuing the trend of easing quarantine measures. The daily number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S., which exceeded 900,000 last month, has significantly dropped to the 100,000 range, leading to analyses that the spread of the Omicron variant is on a downward trend. As a result, more state governments are expected to ease quarantine measures in the future.

According to the New York Times (NYT) on the 9th (local time), four state governments?New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island?announced the lifting of mask mandates on that day. These states had required customers to present proof of vaccination completion or wear masks in indoor businesses and stores during the Omicron variant surge last December, but they announced the abolition of these requirements.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated at a press conference on the same day, "As of the 10th, the indoor mask mandate for businesses and stores will be lifted," adding, "If the current trend continues, the school mask mandate is likely to be lifted from March 7." However, mask mandates will still be enforced in medical facilities, long-term care facilities, childcare centers, and public transportation.

In Massachusetts and Denver, Colorado, mask mandates in schools and childcare facilities are expected to be lifted on the 28th and 25th of this month, respectively. States that had previously implemented stricter quarantine measures than others, such as New Jersey, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Oregon, and Pennsylvania, have also announced plans to lift indoor mask mandates one after another.

The significant decrease in daily COVID-19 cases in the U.S. is analyzed as the reason why state governments are successively lifting mask mandates. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the daily number of cases in the U.S. was 183,305 yesterday, a sharp decline from the record high of 902,463 recorded on the 13th of last month.

The CDC also stated that it is reviewing changes to mask mandate guidelines. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky explained, "It is not a situation where we can immediately lift all mask mandates, but we are reviewing changes to mask-wearing guidelines to follow the trend," adding, "We are encouraged by the current trend and understand the need and desire for state governments to have flexibility."