See Mask Mandates and Guidance in Each State

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidance on mask wearing based on new metrics for assessing community risk for the coronavirus. The move followed a raft of changes to state mask policies from governors as the Omicron wave subsided in their states.

Until Feb. 25, The New York Times tracked mask policies for residents — and separate rules for schools — at the state level. The updated C.D.C. guidance for counties is based on levels of community risk that consider new Covid-19 hospitalizations, hospital capacity and case counts.

Mask policies by state

This map shows the status of mask mandates for the general public in each state. Some states may offer different guidance for certain groups, or require masking for those who are unvaccinated.

Where Masks Are Mandated or Recommended

Map shows general mask policies set at the state level. Local rules may differ.

Mandates banned
or restricted

Note: State guidance for counties follows the C.D.C.’s recommendation, except in Wyoming, which has additional rules for counties.

The C.D.C. had said in July that people living in areas experiencing coronavirus outbreaks should wear masks indoors in public places, regardless of vaccination status. The updated guidelines in February offered a new strategy to help communities across the country navigate the coronavirus.

Mask policies for schools

Schools were at the center of the debate over mask mandates, and in many parts of the country parents and local leaders aggressively resisted them. School boards and mayors were not always in sync with state leaders, leaving many districts tied up in lengthy litigation over mask rules.

Where Masks Are Mandated in Schools

Mandated for some students

In Arizona and Iowa, courts have blocked attempts to ban mandates in schools. And a federal judge overruled a ban in Texas and permitted districts there to set their own rules.

In Florida and Virginia, the governors have said that parents could choose to have their children opt out of any school mask requirements, effectively rendering those requirements moot. Several districts in Virginia have sued the state to keep their mandates, pointing to a separate state law that requires them to follow C.D.C. guidance.

In its February guidance, the C.D.C dropped a recommendation that called for universal masking in schools regardless of the level of community transmission. The updated guidance only recommends masking in schools for counties at the “high” level.