NEW YORK: New York Governor Kathy Hochul plans to end her state's mask mandate for most indoor public places, The New York Times has reported, joining several US states lifting face-covering rules in the weeks ahead as the latest Covid-19 surge loosens its grip.

The Democratic governor intends to let the mask mandate, which has been challenged in court, expire as scheduled rather than seeking to renew it, The Times reported on Tuesday, citing three individuals who the newspaper said were briefed on Hochul's decision.

The newspaper said it was unclear whether Hochul's administration would renew or drop a separate compulsory masking rule in New York public schools that is due to lapse in two weeks.