Masks are Now Optional for CUNY Students and Faculty

By Niko Balkaran

CUNY lifted its mask mandate on March 7. This decision followed announcements after Gov. Katy Hochul and mayor Eric Adams decided it was time to end the mask mandate in New York and revised CDC guidelines.

CUNY students, faculty and staff were required to wear masks indoors since schools reopened in August 2021. 

“We’ve arrived at this point because of the effort that we all have put forth to protect one another as we looked out for ourselves and our loved ones,” Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez said in a University Update.

Despite masks no longer being required on campus, the chancellor urged those who are unvaccinated to wear a mask still. Masks will still be available for anyone who would like one on campuses.

“We are very hopeful for the coming weeks and months, but as we all know by now, the pandemic has taught us that public health conditions can change rapidly,” Rodríguez said in the same update.

The chancellor also said that this policy could be reversed if COVID rates increase.

The change in the mask mandate does not affect CUNY’s policy on the vaccine and booster shots and random testing. Those will still be in effect and follow the previously established guidelines.

York College has had a total of 128 positive cases since last August.