People leave Union Station in Chicago, the United States, on Feb. 28, 2022. (Photo by Vincent D. Johnson/Xinhua)
By ending masks rule, Chicago is in step with the state of Illinois, as Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker also lifts the much-contested mask mandate for most indoor public places starting from Monday.
CHICAGO, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chicago, the third largest city in the United States, dropped mask mandate in most of places indoors and outdoors as of Monday, as the entire Chicago area is currently in the low risk category.
But masks swill still be mandatory on public transportation and in places such as hospitals and day care centers. And businesses still can require them as they see fit.
The city also maintains masks rule for Chicago Public Schools, the third largest school district in the United States and the largest one in U.S. Midwest state of Illinois.
A sign "Masks Optional" is seen on the wall of City Hall in Chicago, the United States, on Feb. 28, 2022. (Photo by Vincent D. Johnson/Xinhua)
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) CEO Pedro Martinez reminded families in a Sunday letter that universal masking is still required in all of its schools and offices "for now," Chicago Tribune reported on Monday.
The universal masking in CPS is stipulated in a hard-fought COVID-19 safety agreement with the Chicago Teachers Union, which came about after union members refused to teach in person during the omicron surge in January, resulting in five days of canceled classes, the local newspaper reported.
The Chicago Board of Education last week passed a resolution to affirm masking and other coronavirus-related rules, which also grants Martinez authority to change those policies in consultation with public health officials and stakeholders.
People wearing face masks walk past a subway train in Chicago, the United States, on Feb. 28, 2022. (Photo by Vincent D. Johnson/Xinhua)
By ending masks rule, Chicago is in step with the state of Illinois, as Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker also lifts the much-contested mask mandate for most indoor public places starting from Monday.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Friday adjusted federal mask guidelines to focus less on COVID-19 cases and more on hospitalizations and health care capacity. It eased previous recommendations that called for indoor masking across most of the country.
Amid the ending of the masks rule, there remains concern: the youngest children still aren't able to get vaccinated; an even more contagious subvariant of the virus is circulating in Illinois, the local newspaper reported. ■
