STAMFORD, Conn. (WCBS 880) — COVID-19 rules are changing in one Connecticut city as the number of new cases continues to fall.
In another step toward normalcy, Stamford Mayor David Martin announced Tuesday that he's lifting the city's indoor mask mandate, effective immediately.
"As evident by the city's diminishing number COVID cases, the use of masks over the past few months has served to significantly decrease the spread of this virus in Stamford," Martin said in a statement.
Masks are still required in schools and in the Stamford Government Center.
Businesses also can set their own masking policy.
Martin said some people may want to continue wearing face coverings and is urging the public to keep taking steps to protect themselves.
"In lieu of mandatory masks, residents should practice reasonable safety precautions and social distance when possible," Martin said. "Practice the reasonable precautions: avoid large groups, remember that children are not vaccinated and as a result of that... more cases are spreading among children."
The mask mandate could return if COVID-19 cases start going back up as the holiday season begins.
"There are experts, many medical experts, who are concerned that cases will continue to come back and rise again as we go into colder weather and people go more indoors," Martin said.
Martin reimposed Stamford's indoor mask mandate back in August as the delta variant drove coronavirus cases up.