School Bus Mask Mandate Dropping Friday In Lower Merion

LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA — Masks will be optional while on Lower Merion School District buses starting Friday.

District Superintendent Khalid Mumin said in a letter to the community that the district's Health and Safety Plan was changed Monday.

That change removed the requirement for masking on district buses.

Mumin said the decision follows CDC guidance that does not require masking on school buses in counties experiencing "Low" or "Medium" levels of coronavirus.

Masks will be required on buses for students returning to school on days six through 10 after they are positive or presumed positive for coronavirus, and for students who are in the Mask-to-Stay protocol.

"We recognize that many parents and guardians prefer their children continue to wear masks," Mumin said. "Please discuss your family's expectations regarding masking with your children. Staff will continue to have conversations with students about the importance of respecting everyone to promote sensitivity, tolerance and respect around individual families' decisions."

The district dropped its indoor mask mandate on Feb. 28.

The district is urging families to use the daily screening tool, keep symptomatic children home from school, and contact the LMSD COVID-19 Healthline at 610-645-1973 or healthservices@lmsd.org to report any positive or presumed positive cases.