"Time for Normalization"… New York Citizens Finally Riding Subway and Bus Without Masks

Mask Mandate Lifted on Public Transit After 28 Months
New York Governor: "COVID Infections and Hospitalizations Significantly Decreased"

New York State emphasized the "normalization of life" and lifted the mandatory mask-wearing requirement on public transportation. [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jung-wan] The state of New York in the United States has lifted the mask mandate on public transportation that had been in place for 28 months since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

On the 7th (local time), according to the New York Times (NYT) and others, Governor Kathy Hochul announced at a press conference, "Masks are no longer required on subways, buses, and other public transportation." She said, "COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations have significantly decreased," adding, "It is time for our lives to return to normal."

Following this policy, approximately 15 million residents of New York City and nearby areas can now ride buses and subways operated by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) without masks.

New York, which suffered the most damage when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in 2020 and maintained strict quarantine measures, has been easing restrictions since March, including lifting vaccine mandates. Mask mandates in restaurants, bars, gyms, and movie theaters have also been lifted, but the mask mandate on public transportation had been maintained.

The removal of mask mandates in indoor spaces such as restaurants and movie theaters made it practically difficult to maintain mask-wearing rules on public transportation. According to MTA statistics, only 64% of subway riders properly wore masks in April.

The NYT analyzed that this move was made with consideration of voters fatigued by New York State's strict quarantine measures ahead of the November midterm elections.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.