Monroe County Public Health Commissioner Dr. Michael Mendoza is urging childcare providers to adopt universal masking for children over two years old.
The state has not required mask-wearing by smaller children in child care, but Mendoza is "strongly encouraging" it because of the recent increase in local cases.
He says masking is particularly important for kindergartners on up, as it is a requirement in their schools.
Mendoza says schools have become among the safest places in the community, and it makes sense to extend the guidelines to childcare settings.