NJ District Will Continue Mask Mandate After March 7, Official Says

EAST ORANGE, NJ — The East Orange Public School District will continue its mask mandate until at least April 14, administrators announced Wednesday.

Gov. Phil Murphy confirmed earlier this month that he will drop New Jersey's school mask mandate, effective March 7. But the state will allow individual districts and day care centers to maintain masking requirements after that date. People who want to voluntarily wear masks can continue to do so. Read More: Schools Can Extend Mask Mandate, But NJ Requirement Ends In March

In East Orange, all employees, students and visitors must continue wearing masks on school grounds or when attending school events until April 14, when the policy will be reassessed, officials said.

East Orange School Superintendent AbdulSaleem Hasan released more details about the decision in a letter to the community. He wrote:

“Noting the significant decline of statewide COVID-19 metrics, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced on Feb. 7 that masks and facial coverings will no longer be mandated for students, staff, or visitors in schools and childcare centers effective March 7. Upon notification of the announcement, East Orange School District officials immediately met with the local health department to discuss the transmission rate within the community as well as the data percentages of those fully vaccinated in our surrounding area. Additionally, district officials reached out to stakeholders - a group comprised of parents/guardians, staff, and students in grades 6 to 12, to provide an opportunity to share their views on the governor's announcement.”

The district shared the results of a survey on the issue, which asked for their reaction on the following statement: “I would like the East Orange School District to extend the mask mandate until we are sure that we are providing the safest environment for our children and employees.”

The results were:

Parents/Guardians (1,130 responses)

• Yes – 86.9%
• No – 13.1%

Staff (829 responses)

• Yes – 82.6%
• No – 17.4%

Students (580 responses)

• Yes – 67.1%
• No – 32.9%

Hasan added:

“Based on our conversations with the East Orange Health Department, as well as the feedback from our stakeholder survey, it is recommended that the East Orange School District continue the mask mandate until Thursday, April 14. Every employee, student, parent/guardian, and/or visitor on district grounds and/or attending district/school events must continue to wear a mask. The aforementioned is not optional, it is mandated. The East Orange School District will reassess the health and safety of our community prior to April 14, and will inform you of the recommendation at that time. Thank you for your support as we work together to provide the safest environment possible.”

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