WASHINGTON 

New York will end its mask-or-vaccine mandate for indoor businesses on Thursday, Governor Kathy Hochul said Wednesday.

Hochul said at a news conference that overall cases, positivity rates and hospitalizations are down statewide as well as new admissions, which she called "a beautiful texture."

"At this time, we say that is the right decision to lift this mandate for indoor businesses and let counties, cities and businesses to make their own decisions on what they want to do with respect to mask or the vaccination requirement," she told reporters.

"That is why we feel comfortable to lift this in effect tomorrow," she added.

The restrictions were put in place two years ago when the pandemic hit the state and the governor said the state has made "tremendous progress.”

"However, we want to make sure that every business knows this is your prerogative and individuals who want to continue wearing masks can continue wearing masks," she added.

The mask mandate has not been lifted for schools, childcare settings, hospitals, nursing homes and on public transit.

Among states that have lifted mask mandates are New Jersey, California, Connecticut, Delaware and Oregon.