PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — New Jersey will be sending out updated COVID-19 guidance as school districts consider going mask-optional when the governor’s mask mandate in schools expires on March 7.
While some districts have already made the choice to keep masks through the end of the school year, many others will be mask-optional.
School administrators have been asking for more help from the state on what to do about a number of things like contact tracing and testing.
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Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli says there are a few key elements to consider, and that ultimately, the state wants school officials to pay close attention to local case totals to mitigate outbreaks at schools.
“They should consider the school's or the child care center's ability to maintain physical distancing, screen students, perform contact tracing, exclude children and staff with COVID-19 or who have been exposed, and maintain adequate ventilation," Persichilli said.
“Measures that include vaccination and boosters, physical distancing, frequent hand washing, and staying home when feeling ill continue to be critically important in disease prevention."
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She added that families should make masking decisions based on their specific situations.
Governor Phil Murphy said bullying people over their choice to wear masks won’t be tolerated.
Murphy also said next Friday will be the last scheduled weekly COVID-19 briefing as case numbers have fallen off a cliff recently.
The state has not revealed when unemployment and motor vehicle offices will open with pre-pandemic staffing levels.
