Decision Coming On Mask Mandate For Manchester Schools

MANCHESTER, NJ — When March 7 arrives, school districts around New Jersey will be allowed to decide whether students and staff have to wear masks in school. In Manchester, that decision will take some time.

Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday announced the impending end of the mandate, one of the most controversial pandemic rules that have existed over the last two years.

While the debate over masking has been less intense in Manchester than in other schools in Ocean County, it still has gotten people stirred up.

"We have not made a decision yet, but will certainly be discussing this with our school nurses this week," Superintendent John P. Berenato said. The next steps also will be discussed with the school board at its Feb. 16 meeting, he said.

"We have reached a point where we feel confident that we can take another step toward normalcy for our kids," Murphy said. "Given the continued drop in new cases and hospitalizations, projections indicating a continued decline over the coming weeks, and the continued growth of vaccinations for our school-aged population, we believe that we can responsibly end the universal mask mandate." Read more: Schools Can Extend Mask Mandate, But NJ Requirement Ends In March

The announcement said school districts and child care facilities can continue to require masks after the mandate is lifted, but school districts cannot bar anyone from wearing masks.

Murphy allowed districts some leeway om the mask requirement in the late spring and the early fall when summer temperatures made classrooms that lack air conditioning unbearably hot. But that was a temporary measure that only fueled the debate over the masks.

State health officials said guidance will be released to school districts before the mandate is lifted "to help school districts update their policies to align with the risks and unique needs of their setting and student population to ensure safe learning environments."

"The Department will develop guidance that incorporates all aspects of safety in schools while children are unmasked," Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said. "We know that every parent wants to do what’s best for their children."

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