During this week’s COVID-19 briefing, Governor Murphy announced that masks and facial coverings will no longer be mandated for students, staff, or visitors in schools and childcare centers, effective March 7th, 2022.
School districts and childcare facilities can continue to implement universal masking policies after the mandate is lifted in March. Schools that do not impose universal masking should revise their COVID policies to utilize masking among other prevention strategies under certain circumstances. Schools will not be permitted to bar the use of facial coverings by individuals and will be expected to take disciplinary action in instances of bullying, should they arise due to an individual’s choice to continue wearing a mask
Until March 7th, 2022, masks must be worn indoors by staff, students, and visitors in all situations except as described in EO 251. This includes physical education classes, prior to boarding the school bus, while on the bus and until students are completely off the bus.
After the mask mandate is lifted on March 7th, school districts can choose to continue implementing their own universal masking policies. Schools that do not impose universal masking should revise their COVID policies to utilize masking among other prevention strategies under certain circumstances. Schools will not be permitted to bar the use of facial coverings by individuals and will be expected to take disciplinary action in instances of bullying should they arise due to an individual’s choice to continue wearing a mask.
Until March 7th, exceptions to the mask requirement remain unchanged from the 2020-2021 school year, and include:
- When doing so would inhibit the individual’s health, such as when the individual is exposed to extreme heat indoors;
- When the individual has trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a face covering without assistance;
- When a student’s documented medical condition or disability, as reflected in an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Educational Plan precludes use of a face covering;
- When the individual is under two (2) years of age;
- When an individual is engaged in an activity that cannot be performed while wearing a mask, such as eating and drinking or playing an instrument that would be obstructed by the face covering;
- When the individual is engaged in high-intensity physical activity
In general, students and staff do not need to wear masks outdoors, including during outdoor physical education classes or school sports except during days 6-10 after completing a 5-day isolation or quarantine. Schools may encourage the use of masks during outdoor activities that involve sustained close contact with other individuals or during periods of high community transmission.
Individuals seeking a medical exemption from mask wearing will be required to produce written documentation from a medical professional. Self-attestations and parental attestations are not sufficient.