They cited declining coronavirus incidences.
On Monday, several state leaders followed New Jersey’s lead and announced end dates for mandates to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy on Monday declared he would lift the state’s mandate for child care centers and schools next month.
Murphy stated at a press conference that “we can responsibly take this action given the continuing decline in new cases and hospitalizations for omicron and all the evidence projecting an ongoing decline over the coming weeks.”
Many other Democratic states followed their lead, citing the downwards trend in coronavirus cases.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced via Twitter that the state’s indoor-mask mandate for people vaccinated would be ending February 15.
In Oregon, Gov. Kate Brown stated that the state will lift indoor mask regulations for public places “no earlier than March 31.”
Brown tweeted, “Oregonians have stepped-up during the Omicron Surge – wearing masks and getting vaccinated, boosted and keeping each other safe.”
Connecticut Governor On Monday, Ned Lamont recommended that the state school mask mandate be lifted by February 28, and that local jurisdictions should make the final decision.
Lamont stated in a statement that Connecticut is experiencing a decline in Omicron-related cases and that children older than 5 years old have been able to get vaccinated since more than 3 months. With this information, I believe we are in a position to eliminate the requirement that all schools in Connecticut wear masks and allow local authorities to decide whether or not to do so.
Governor of Delaware John Carney, Delaware Governor, announced Monday that the state’s indoor mask mandate will be canceled on February 11, while its school mask mandate will be canceled on March 31.
Carney stated in a statement that “we’re in an even better place than we were weeks ago during the Omicron surge in COVID-19 patients and hospitalizations.”
These decisions are being made in the context of a growing desire to move away from mitigation measures and to embrace a ” new normal.” Monmouth’s survey found that 70% of Americans agree that COVID-19 “is here to stay” and that we need to continue our lives.
Federal health officials recommend that everyone wear masks at school and indoors in public areas where there is high or substantial coronavirus transmission. According to data, every state has a high level of community transmission.
Jen Psaki, White House Press Secretary, stated Monday that the CDC had not modified its masking recommendations.
Psaki stated that there have been “some good signs lately where there has been an increase in hospitalizations across the country,” during a press conference. “But it is our responsibility as federal government to rely upon the data and science being analyzed and that we will continue to rely upon for any recommendations we make.”