BOSTON — Boston Public Schools on Friday announced that students and staff will be asked to wear masks to prevent the spread of infectious illnesses when they return from winter break next week.
“In an effort to maximize our ability to keep students healthy and minimize staff absences during this high-risk period, all BPS schools will adopt temporary masking,” BPS said in a statement. “This is our ask and expectation of students and staff, not a mandate.”
The temporary masking policy will be in effect from Wednesday, Jan 4, through Friday, Jan. 13, and no one will be disciplined or sent home if they refuse to wear a mask, BPS noted.
Masks will be encouraged during the school day on school premises and school buses. School officials say disposable face masks will be made available for those who want to wear one.
The school system is also giving out bi-weekly COVID-19 tests to allow for testing during and immediately after the winter break. Testing kits will be available in all BPS schools and BPS administrative office buildings.
Students and staff have been asked to test on Tuesday, Jan. 3, or on the morning of Jan. 4 before returning to school buildings.
In a news release, BPS said, “We all have a role to play in keeping our schools open and safe!”
The Boston Teacher’s Union announced in a Friday statement that they have been in communication with BPS and support the new precautions.
“We are working with BPS to ensure that our community returns to school safely in the New Year,” said BTU. “Upon our initial review, we feel the new communication is a sensible, data-driven policy that is responsive to both public health and also to specific populations for whom masking may be a hardship. We will be continuing to evaluate and review the policy and its implementation as it proceeds.”
In addition to masking and testing protocols, students and staff are being asked to complete the following checklist:
- Wash your hands – Perform frequent hand washing and cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
- Don’t come to school if you’re sick –Use our home health checklist to monitor your symptoms.
- Get vaccinated and boosted! - Visit the City of Boston’s Vaccine Clinics or your medical provider.
- Wear your mask indoors! - Wearing your mask is always a safe bet!
- Use your free Covid-19 rapid test before you go to school – Use the free rapid antigen test provided to each student. Test even if you’re not experiencing any symptoms.
- Call your student’s school to report a Covid-19 positive case – If your student tests positive for Covid-19, please report it immediately.
- Refrain from sharing food and/or drinks with others.
As of Dec. 27, Boston health officials reported a COVID-19 community positivity rate of 12.2 percent.
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