“Now people know how to gauge their level of risk, and decide how to best protect themselves," Cooper said, noting that because of the vast improvements made in testing, vaccination and treatment, "I encourage schools and local governments to end their local mask mandates.”
Cooper noted that some locations, like health care centers and facilities covered by federal law, would still require masks — and that many would still want to continue to mask by choice, even without a mandate.
“Some people, including me, will feel more comfortable feel comfortable wearing a mask, when they're in crowds for example. Parents might still want their children wearing a mask inside school. Businesses might want their employees, and customers, to wear a mask. At this stage of the pandemic, its right for them to make these choice in most situations," Cooper said, reiterating that vaccines provide the strongest protection against illness, hospitalization, and death from Covid.
Cooper’s announcement follows a bipartisan vote in the state House approving a bill that would give parents the right to opt their children out of school mask mandates.
It also represents a change in tone from statements made earlier this week by Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley, who urged school boards to keep their mask mandates in place – citing case rates that have remained high.
The Governor’s office ended its statewide mask order last spring, and has since relied on local governments to handle mandates – often leading to highly politicized tensions.
