Cuomo Officially Lifts NY Mask Rules Starting Wednesday

NEW YORK CITY — New York City will officially go maskless — mostly — starting Wednesday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.

Cuomo announced Monday that the state will adopt recent CDC guidance that allows people fully vaccinated against the coronavirus to not wear masks in most indoor spaces.

He also eased social distancing guidelines for the fully vaccinated.

"If you are vaccinated, you are safe — no masks, no social distancing,” he said during a news conference at Radio City Music Hall.

Effective Wednesday, NYS will adopt the CDC's new mask & social distancing guidance for vaccinated people.

Unvaccinated people should continue to wear a mask.

Masks will still be required on public transit, in schools & some communal settings. Private venues may require masks.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) May 17, 2021

Not all aspects of life in New York City and the state will be covered by the newly eased rules.

Masks will still be required on public transportation, schools, nursing homes, homeless shelters, health care facilities and correctional facilities, Cuomo said.

But the relaxed rules for the fully vaccinated coincide with a blossoming in New York City, where coronavirus levels have dropped and life is returning to a pre-pandemic normal.

“For our part we’re adopting the CDC and we’re saying let’s open,” Cuomo said. “This comes at a good time for New York because we had already said we were going to do our major opening this Wednesday.”

Most capacity restrictions will be lifted Wednesday for restaurants, museums, retail and offices. Likewise, 24/7 subway service began again over the weekend and an outdoor food and beverage curfew ends Monday.

Cuomo — flanked by an assortment of arts and entertainment bigwigs — also announced the return of major events.

The New York City Marathon will return Nov. 7 for its 50th running, he announced.

NEW: The NYC marathon—the world's biggest—will return on November 7.

33,000 runners will be permitted. Registration opens June 8.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) May 17, 2021

Likewise, Cuomo announced half of seats in Madison Square Garden and Barclays Center for upcoming Knicks and Nets playoff games will be reserved for fans who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

He also said that Radio City would host the closing night of the Tribeca Film Festival on June 19. Ticketing for that event will be 100 percent vaccinated, Cuomo said, allowing the auditorium to be open at full capacity with no masks.

This is a developing story. Refresh for updates.