Masks In Worcester Schools Still Required In Some Cases

WORCESTER, MA — The Worcester Board of Health on Monday unanimously approved rescinding a mask mandate in schools — but students and staff will still have to wear a face covering in some instances.

The 4-0 vote Monday came after the health board lifted the citywide mask mandate in mid-February, and after state officials allowed the blanket school mask mandate to expire on Feb. 28.

The board's removal of the mask mandate took effect immediately, which means students and staff were allowed to go mask free on Tuesday. This is the first time students in Worcester will attend classes without masks since schools reopened over the 2020-21 school year.

Masks will still be required in school health facilities, like nurses offices. A state mask mandate covering all health facilities — including hospitals and similar facilities — is still in effect. Students and staff who return from a five-day quarantine after a coronavirus exposure will also still have to wear masks until 10 days after the exposure.

Worcester Public Schools is also advising unvaccinated students and staff to continue wearing masks. Only about 19 percent of the school district population has been vaccinated, according to school officials.

Coronavirus cases in Worcester have hit a six-month low. Most recently, Worcester was adding about 25.6 new cases per day over a one-week period, the lowest number since August — months before the omicron surge hit.