PA Supreme Court Restores Statewide School Mask Mandate

PENNSYLVANIA — The state Supreme Court Tuesday reinstated the controversial mask mandate implemented by Gov. Tom Wolf's administration, but the move could be temporary. The court indicated that the edict, set to expire Dec. 4, now will be in effect at least until it hears arguments on the matter on Dec. 8.

The high court indicated it had not taken a position on the issue.Pennlive.com reported that one of the nine justices was against the reinstatement.

Commonwealth Court, a lower appellate panel, earlier this month ruled to remove the temporary stay on the order for all students, teachers and staff in Pennsylvania schools to wear masks when they are inside buildings.

Commonwealth Court ruled that Acting Health Secretary Alison Beam did not have the power to unilaterally issue the mandate in the absence of a public health emergency. She also did not follow correct procedure in issuing the order, the court said.

The Wolf adminstration previously indicated the edict would end in January and that local school districts would decided whether to still require masks.