No More Mask Mandate In Wayne Schools Come March 7

WAYNE, NJ — When the state's mask mandate for K-12 schools expires March 7, Wayne Township Public School students, staff and visitors will no longer need to wear them. The district will make masks optional once the state requirement ends, Superintendent Dr. Mark Toback announced Tuesday.

School officials will continue to provide updates if there's any additional guidance, Toback said.

The school district has also seen "dramatic decreases" in COVID-19 case totals in recent weeks, Toback says. On Jan. 6, the district had a total of 520 students and 98 employees positive for the virus. As of Monday, Wayne schools only had 14 students and four staff members with COVID-19, according to the district's COVID dashboard.

"It is hard to believe that one month ago, we were reporting to the community that hundreds of students and staff members were testing positive for COVID," Toback said.

Gov. Phil Murphy confirmed Monday that he will drop New Jersey's school mask mandate, effective March 7. But the state will allow individual school districts and day care centers to maintain masking requirements after that date.

People who choose to wear masks may continue to do so. Murphy will extend New Jersey's public health state of emergency for one more month to allow schools to make the adjustment. Read more: Schools Can Extend Mask Mandate, But NJ Requirement Ends In March

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