Whereas some states have introduced in current weeks that they're easing up on masks mandates at school districts, Connecticut has doubled down on COVID-19 protocols as a substitute, extending college masks mandates statewide till the tip of the month.

The mandate was supposed to finish on Tuesday, however the state Senate voted on Monday to increase the mandate till February 28, a invoice that was signed by Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont.

"At this time marks a brand new section in our state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic," Lamont mentioned in a press release on Tuesday. "We're certainly not declaring mission completed in our efforts to cease the unfold of this virus, however we're acknowledging that it is a long-term state of affairs that can want a long-term response."

States neighboring Connecticut have introduced that they are going to be easing up on some restrictions within the coming weeks, citing aid seen because the Omicron surge declines.

Massachusetts will finish its college masks mandate on February 28, nevertheless, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has mentioned the masks mandate will stay in place for Boston Public Colleges. New Jersey is ending its college masks mandate in March, however the Camden Metropolis College District will nonetheless require masks.

California, in the meantime, will finish its common indoor mandate beginning on Tuesday, however face coverings will nonetheless be required in colleges in the interim. New York has additionally ended its masks mandate, however like California, masks will nonetheless be required in colleges.

Lamont's transfer didn't come with out opposition, as a number of Republican leaders held a information convention earlier than the vote on Monday stating their considerations, and shared that the choice for COVID-19 security measures inside colleges ought to not be within the fingers of the state.

"We consider dad and mom must be trusted with their kids," mentioned Senator Kevin Kelly on Monday. "And so sure we're extra decentralized and the bottom unit of presidency is the household. And so dad and mom, we predict, actually have one of the best curiosity of the youngsters and at coronary heart."

Connecticut's COVID-19 information tracker reported on Monday that the state has seen 714,408 COVID circumstances throughout the state. There are 406 present hospitalizations, and somewhat greater than 46 p.c of the hospitalized COVID sufferers are unvaccinated.

If case numbers ought to quickly enhance within the following weeks, the Division of Public Well being can have the ultimate say on COVID guidelines, together with the potential reinstation of masks mandates, in response to WFSB.

Within the meantime, masks mandates will roll again on the finish of the month. Lamont mentioned in his assertion, "Going ahead, whereas our authority to situation these emergency orders is expiring, I've little question that we will faithfully proceed collaborating with the legislature to enact insurance policies that maintain our state secure to the best extent doable."

Newsweek reached out to the Connecticut Division of Public Well being for added remark.

Washington, DC Mayor Imposes Mask Mandate And
Connecticut has prolonged its masks mandate in public colleges till the tip of the month as surrounding states have begun easing up on COVID-19 security protocols. On this photograph, folks move an indication that reads "Face Masks Required" in a mall as COVID-19 circumstances surge within the metropolis on December 21, 2021 in Washington, D.C. Alex Wong/Getty Photographs