Governor Kathy Hochul will let the indoor mask mandate expire tomorrow. Some restrictions may continue, especially for schools where vaccinations lag, according to the New York Times.

by David Stone

The Roosevelt Island Daily News

The Indoor Mask Mandate Expires on Thursday

To the relief of many COVID-exhausted residents, the indoor mask mandate ends on Thursday, February 10th. Three sources told the Times that Hochul will not extend the mandate imposed at the start of the Omicron surge.

Hochul hinted at it on Tuesday, following bold headlines:

Lowest Statewide Cases per 100k 7-Day Average Since November 30

Fewest Hospitalizations Since December 26

Fewest Patients in ICU Since December 20

71 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday

“We are improving in terms of lower positive cases, hospitalizations, and infection rates statewide,” she said. “We cannot let our guard down now. Those who have yet to get their vaccine, their second dose, or their booster shot should do so as soon as possible. It’s safe, effective, free, and widely available throughout the state. Keep your loved ones safe and healthy by utilizing the best tools at our disposal.”

There was no reference to masks or social distancing.

Tuesday’s data is summarized briefly below:

Test Results Reported – 99,004
Total Positive – 4,281
Percent Positive – 4.32%
7-Day Average Percent Positive – 4.36%
Patient Hospitalization – 5,019 (-50)
Patients Newly Admitted – 425
Patients in ICU – 790 (-24)
Patients in ICU with Intubation – 426 (-26)
Total Discharges – 277,916 (+345)

Some relief…

After Hochul ends the mask mandate, restaurants, museums, stores and other public venues will no longer need to check for vaccinations before allowing people to enter. Face masks will not be required in any case, although some venues may still opt for protections. High statewide vaccination rates make lifting restrictions possible.

Exceptions may prevail in schools where rates are low, especially among younger children.

“I’d like to see it higher than 34%, which is what we’re looking at now for the 5-to-11-year-olds,” the governor said on Monday. “I know we can do better than that.” The vaccination rate for older kids – 12 to 17 – is nearly 80%.

A formal announcement by Governor Hochul is expected today.

More from the Roosevelt Island Daily

• 
  Tuesday’s PSD blotter: noise calls, a harassment reportNovember 11, 2026
  RIOC’s Nov. 10 PSD blotter lists 15 incidents, all on Main Street, including four noise complaints, a harassment report and one hospital transport.
• 
  Queens Public Library Ransomware Attack: Digital Services Still DisruptedNovember 11, 2026
  The Queens Public Library ransomware attack continues to disrupt public computers, digital books and online services, with no confirmed restoration date.
• 
  A new RIOC appeals officer denied records on how its general counsel was hiredNovember 10, 2026
  A different RIOC appeals officer denied records on how RIOC hired general counsel Lance Polivy. RIOC’s internal deliberations on the hire stay withheld.
• 
  Monday’s PSD blotter: two hospital transports, two disputesNovember 10, 2026
  RIOC’s Nov. 9 PSD blotter lists 14 incidents, including four aided calls with two hospital transports and a verbal dispute at 750 Main Street that drew FDNY.
• 
  Flushing Spa Murder: Man Charged After Woman Found Stabbed to DeathNovember 10, 2026
  Flushing spa murder investigation leads to a murder charge against a 54-year-old man after a woman was found fatally stabbed in a Queens storefront.

Three Newspapers and a Broken Water Fountain

One paper stopped arriving. Another outgrew the list that started it, then learned how to say goodbye.

Eleanor Rivers Sep 4, 2026

In 2018, Roosevelt Island had three local newspapers and no working drinking fountains. Seven years later, one paper had disappeared, one founder was leaving the country and the word “your” was about to receive a much clearer ending.

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