Health

DESE extends mask mandate for MA public schools

By Boston25News.com Staff

Masks for all students FILE PHOTO: In this April 13, 2021, file photo, kindergarten students sit in their classroom on the first day of in-person learning at Maurice Sendak Elementary School in Los Angeles. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that all students no matter their vaccination station wear a mask while in class. (Jae C. Hong/AP)

By Boston25News.com Staff

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced Tuesday that the mask requirement for all K-12 public schools in Massachusetts will be extended through at least January 15, 2022.

The mandate was previously set through at least November 1, when Commissioner Jeffrey Riley was going to consult with medical experts and state health officials.

DESE mask mandate now in place for MA public schools

DESE says it will continue to work with health officials to evaluate when the mask requirement could be lifted.

However, school officials will continue to be able to lift the mask requirement if they can prove that at least 80% of all students and staff in the school are vaccinated.

“Massachusetts is a national leader in vaccination rates for adults and eligible children, and in anticipation of the vaccine becoming available in the coming weeks for children ages 5 to 11 years old, this extension of the mask requirement will allow time for the elementary school population to receive the COVID-19 vaccine,” said Education Secretary James Peyser. “This will be another big step forward in our efforts to keep school safe for our kids.”

The following mask requirements will remain in effect:

  • Public school students ages 5 and older in all grades and staff are required to wear masks indoors in schools, except when eating, drinking or during mask breaks.
  • All visitors are also expected to wear a mask in school buildings, regardless of vaccination status.
  • Masks are not required outdoors.
  • It is strongly recommended that students younger than 5 also wear a mask in school.
  • Students and staff who cannot wear a mask for medical reasons, and students who cannot wear a mask for behavioral reasons are exempted from this requirement.

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