Bloomfield Schools Will Make Masks Optional, Superintendent Says
BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Wearing a face mask in the Bloomfield Public School District will be optional for students and staff, starting on March 7, administrators announced Tuesday.
Gov. Phil Murphy confirmed earlier this month that he will drop New Jersey's school mask mandate, effective March 7. But the state will allow individual districts and day care centers to maintain masking requirements after that date. People who want to voluntarily wear masks can continue to do so. Read More: Schools Can Extend Mask Mandate, But NJ Requirement Ends In March
Superintendent Salvatore Goncalves released the following update about the district’s mask policy:
“As you are aware, Gov. Murphy announced that on March 7, the universal statewide school mask mandate will be lifted. The governor issued this revised guidance in light of the decline in new COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations, as well as projections indicating future trends in a similar direction. Accordingly, beginning March 7, the Bloomfield School District will make masking optional for all students and staff. Please note that we are issuing this guidance in concert with the governor’s order, and in recognition of our commitment to keep the school community healthy and participating in live instruction. Please note that we will be in contact with additional guidance as our local and state health agencies provide more detailed guidance.”
“Additionally, the federal requirement that masks be worn on public transportation remains in place,” Goncalves added. “This means that while riding on a school bus, a mask must still be worn.”
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This article originally appeared on the Bloomfield Patch
