Masks Required For All Lower Merion Students, Staff, Visitors

LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA — After Montgomery County changed its position on masking in schools, the Lower Merion School District is now requiring students, staff, and pre-approved visitors to wear masks.

The district announced the decision Friday, and it is in effect now.

Masks are required in all Lower Merion School District buildings.

"I know that many of us hoped that masks would no longer be needed in schools, but the rise in prevalence of the Delta variant of COVID-19, and the fact that students under age 12 are unable to be vaccinated, make it advisable to return to masking as a mitigation effort in our schools," Superintendent Robert Copeland said Friday.

Copeland said this decision will limit the number of students who must quarantine and miss school.

"Taking this step will enable us to continue as safely as possible toward our primary goal of offering in-person education going forward," he said.

Per the district, masks are "a covering of the nose and mouth that is secured to the head with ties, straps or loops over the ears."

Acceptable masks are cloth face masks, surgical style face masks, KN95 masks, and N95 masks.

Valved face masks or gaiters are not permitted.

Students can be exempted from wearing masks if they have medical conditions or disabilities as documented in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act or Individuals with Disabilities Education Act that precludes the wearing of a facemask.

Those with asthma and most other medical conditions still must wear a face mask.