Assemblyman Joseph Angelino (R,C,I-Norwich) is calling for the state Department of Health (DOH) to return to its previous guidance which did not require masks for children younger than kindergarten-age. The newly adopted policy would require children 2-years-old and older to wear masks in daycare and summer camp settings, a surprising policy that has both parents and daycare and camp operators concerned and confused.

“Just a week ago, it was considered safe for small children to go without masks at their daycares and summer camps. The about-face by the state health department is troubling for many parents and small business owners of daycares and summer camps,” said Angelino. “It makes little sense to the public why this new restriction is being applied when children were safe last year under the previous guidance and now that the mask restrictions are being lifted for adults. I urge the DOH to reconsider this restrictive policy on the young children of the state.”

The newly issued DOH guidance for daycares and summer camps may be view here: https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/Child_Care_Daycamps_Detailed_Guidelines.pdf.