Providence schools bring back COVID mask mandate

Linda Borg, The Providence Journal
·2 min read
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The Providence School Department administration building at 797 Westminster St.

PROVIDENCE — The Providence school district will reimpose the mask mandate among students and staff starting Tuesday.

This policy applies to anyone in schools, on school buses and at indoor school-sponsored events. The mask requirement does not apply to outdoor activities.

New Shoreham and Central Falls have also reimposed school mask mandates.

The average number of daily positive cases among Providence school staff and students has increased from a low of about 10 per day in March and early April to about 40 positive cases per day in early May and 60 positive cases per day last week, the district said in a statement Monday.

Related: Central Falls schools bring back mask mandate as COVID cases rise again

Previous coverage: Providence schools to end mandatory mask policy next week

'I must see your smiles today': Masks come off in RI schools for the first time in 2 years

“Given the increase in cases and new information from the CDC, I engaged in discussions with students, staff, community members, the Rhode Island Department of Health and the Rhode Island Department of Education,” said Supt. Javier Montañez. “The additional mitigation layer of masking will help us manage this new COVID surge and keep more students in the classroom where they learn best. It’s also important for us to manage this surge for the over 3,000 students who will continue their education in our summer learning programs in the coming weeks.”

While four of five Rhode Island counties are now considered by the CDC to have "high" transmission of COVID-19, which triggers a CDC recommendation for all to wear masks in public indoor spaces, new cases have declined somewhat in recent days in Rhode Island.

Through Monday, Rhode Island had reported an average of 768 new cases a day, down 5% from a week ago although up 14% from two weeks ago. There were 77 COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals at last count, down from 94 reported Friday.

The district says it will send an additional 25,000 rapid tests to schools; offer multiple vaccination clinics for elementary, middle, and high school students; and continue to provide HEPA air filters in classrooms.

The school system said it has provided over 100,000 KN95 masks for staff members and students since January.

"The district will continue tracking COVID-19 data and will reevaluate this mask requirement on a consistent basis moving forward," the school system said. "The district will continue to work with schools to provide guidance to staff, students, and families regarding events such as proms, field trips, and graduations."

Linda Borg covers education for the Journal.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence schools reimpose COVID-19 mask mandate