New York City lifts COVID-19 mask mandate for toddlers in public schools

New York City has lifted its COVID-19 mask mandate for toddlers in public schools, effective Monday.

The change to optional mask wearing for children ages 2 to 4 in public schools, daycare centers and other city-run settings was announced Thursday by Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat.

The change comes with about two weeks remaining before the last day of classes, on June 27, according to the New York Post.

"I have always said that the science will guide us out of the pandemic, and because we have followed the data, which shows that cases are steadily falling, we‘ve beaten back the latest COVID-19 surge," Adams said in a prepared statement.

However, Adams also said the city still "strongly" recommends that all New Yorkers continue to wear masks indoors.