Providence Public Schools Make Masks Optional Again

PROVIDENCE, RI — Masks became optional again Tuesday for students and staff in Providence Public Schools.

Though masks are not required, they will still be available for those that need one in the district. School officials said all schools were supplied with KN-95 masks for students and staff who wish to wear one.

Providence was one of two school districts to re-instate mask mandates last week because of an increase in COVID-19 cases district wide and across Providence County. The county has since been downgraded from "high risk" for community spread to "medium risk," according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

"As I said when masks became optional back in early April, we will continue to follow the science with mask policies," said Superintendent Javier Montañez. "The District closely monitors case data and community risk levels from the CDC and the Rhode Island Department of Health, and mask policy will be updated accordingly."

Case counts dropping district wide and the change in community spread threat led to school officials reversing the mandate. According to school officials, average daily cases across the district decreased from about 60 positive cases per day two weeks ago to approximately 45 positive cases per day last week.