The states of New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, and Oregon are planning to lift statewide mask mandates for schools.
The shift in guidelines is a sign that the blue states are changing how they manage the ongoing Covid pandemic, especially as the surge caused by the latest variant Omicron begins to subside.
Oregon became the latest state to announce it will be lifting the mandate, following earlier announcements on Monday from the other three states.
Oregon health officials made the announcement on Monday that the end date for indoor mask requirements for public places and for schools will be March 31. State health officer Dr. Dean Sidelinger said in a statement that the evidence around the country as well as within the state of Oregon is clear, that masks save lives by slowing the spread.
In Connecticut, Governor Ned Lamont recommended as well on Monday that the state ends its mask mandate at the end of this month, on Feb. 28. It will be the earliest conclusion for mask mandates of the four states. After that, it will be up to local leaders — for example, the mayor and superintendents — to decide on their own mask requirements.
Lamont said that with boosters, vaccinations, and masks, the public is in a better position to keep themselves safe.
New Jersey will be lifting the mandate in schools for students and employees on March 7. Governor Phil Murphy said that districts will still be able to require masks, especially to control any spikes in infection rates. He said it is about balancing public health with also getting back to normalcy, which is not easy, but this step can be taken responsibly.
The fourth state, Delaware, will lift its mandate for public and private K-12 schools and child care facilities on March 31. A universal indoor mask mandate in the state expires this Friday.
Governor John Carney also said that the end-of-March date will give school districts time to consider local mask rules, and will give the state time to update quarantine and contact tracing guidance.
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