NJ School Masking Recommended In Some Cases: Gov. Murphy

NEW JERSEY — The state's mask mandate for K-12 schools and childcare settings will still end March 7. But New Jersey officials will recommend face coverings and returns to universal masking under certain circumstances.

The New Jersey Department of Health will suggest that school districts and childcare centers require masks if COVID-19 transmission becomes high in their communities. The state measures coronavirus transmission in its weekly, color-coded COVID-19 activity reports.

Schools and childcare centers should return to universal masking when their communities are labeled orange (high transmission) or red (very high spread), according to state health guidance. Such facilities should also consider universal masking if local health officials detect an active outbreak on their premises.

"A lot of these decisions will quite rightfully be made at the district level with the input of the local health authorities and the local realities," Gov. Phil Murphy said Wednesday during the state's weekly coronavirus news briefing.

All of New Jersey has "moderate" COVID-19 activity level, according to the state's latest weekly activity report. The state's transmission rates also continue to decline, with the overall rate fluctuating between 0.57 and 0.69 in the past week. A transmission rate of less than 1 indicates that the virus's rate of spread is slowing down.

Beginning March 7, school districts will have the choice to make masks optional. Masks will remain mandatory on buses, as per federal guidelines.

But State Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli outlined several instances in which individuals should mask up in schools, including upon returning from a quarantine or isolation period. The state health department intends to release updated guidelines for schools and childcare settings later Wednesday.

"Staff and parents need to make masking decisions based on their specific situations," Persichilli said. "(Those who are) immunocompromised or at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19 or live with people who are high-risk should consider wearing a mask."

Many school districts are also awaiting updated guidance on non-masking COVID-19 measures, such as social distancing and contact tracing.

"It’s a work in progress on the non-masking guidance in schools for things like social distancing, one-way halls, partitions," Murphy said. "So that’s something — bear with us — we are trying to safely and responsibly and as quickly as we can, get to a normal situation."

Meanwhile, COVID-19's presence in New Jersey schools continues to diminish. The state reported 2.37 cases per 1,000 students and 2.85 infections per 1,000 staff members in the week ending Feb. 13 — about a quarter of the figures three weeks prior.

The state also reported only four COVID-19 outbreaks in schools for the week ending Monday — down from 33 during the last week in January.

But districts examine several factors when determining masking policies, Persichilli says.

"They should consider the school’s or childcare center’s ability to maintain physical distancing, screen students, perform contact tracing, exclude children and staff with COVID-19 or those who have been exposed, and maintain adequate ventilation," she said. "The vaccination rates of the students and their staff should also be considered."