NEW YORK (abc7y) -- New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced that if COVID numbers continue to show a low level of risk, masks will be optional for kids ages 2-4 in day care and school starting on April 4.

The mayor released a statement saying, "If the numbers continue to show a low level of risk, masks will be optional for two to four year olds in schools and day cares. We are going to start this april 4.

"I have always said that the science will guide us out of the pandemic, and because we have followed the data, we are winning the fight against COVID-19. New York City is currently in a low-risk environment.

"It's now been two weeks since we removed the mask mandate for K-12 public school children, and our percent positivity in schools has, thankfully, remained low. Each day, we review the data, and if we continue to see low levels of risk, then, on Monday, April 4, we will make masks optional for 2-4 year old children in schools and daycare settings. This will allow us sufficient time to evaluate the numbers and make sound decisions for our youngest New Yorkers. We must get this right for the health of our kids, and I refuse to jeopardize their safety by rushing a decision.