Ridgefield Schools Drop Mask Mandate, Beginning Feb. 28

RIDGEFIELD, CT — The wearing of masks in the Ridgefield Public Schools will be optional beginning Feb. 28.

Calling it a "family choice," Superintendent Susie Da Silva notified parents of the change in policy in an email Tuesday.

The school mask mandate was a product of Gov. Ned Lamont's pandemic emergency executive orders, which are no longer in effect. Last week, Lamont recommended the mandate be dropped in favor of local control effect Feb. 28. The House agreed to extend the governor's executive orders through the end of the month, and the Senate did likewise on Monday.

"The Commissioners of Education and Department of Health (DPH) agreed with the governor’s recommendation, and have allowed school districts to make a decision for their own community with respect to mask wearing," Da Silva explained.

The public transportation mask mandate, coming down from the feds and not Hartford, will remain in effect, so masks will still be required on school buses.

Da Silva said that promised guidance on how schools should best navigate a transition to a masks optional policy are forthcoming from the state Departments of Health and Education, and are expected before Feb. 28.