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Starting Wednesday, a statewide mask mandate that's been in effect at schools for months will no longer be in place.
Governor Hochul said over the weekend that she was comfortable lifting the mandate because fewer children are testing positive for the coronavirus. Under the guidelines issued Tuesday by the state Department of Health, masks also aren't required anymore on school buses. Schools are encouraged to take steps such as increasing ventilation in buildings and providing access to free COVID-19 testing to prevent another surge in infections among students and staff.