In the immediate withdrawal of the directive on the mandatory use of masks and the observance of social distancing measures by believers who have completed their vaccination in the State of New York, the immediate archdiocesan region of our Church in America proceeds by decision of Archbishop of America Elpidophoros.
This withdrawal comes following the relevant announcement by the governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, in fact following the directives of the Center for Disease Control and the White House that fully vaccinated against COVID19 citizens are no longer required to wear masks in most cases. As noted in the announcement of the Archdiocese of America, the withdrawal is a clear indication that completion of the vaccination program is key to overcoming the pandemic and returning to normalcy for all.
The Archdiocese of America recommends that all the faithful show special attention to all those who have not yet been vaccinated, including those with underlying diseases and children under 12 years. Alongside, urges all parishes to continue to follow state and local health authority guidelines for public health issues.