Since NPR has been a good barometer for whatever the government wants people to think (because it really just is the government itself, let's not kid ourselves with their supposed "independence"), I do see this as a "we are starting to back down at this point," and I will take any sign as a good one.
They can always push messaging to their midwit audience that "Covid is really bad guys!" once more, but they are at the very least hedging their bets for now.