MA's School Mask Mandate Could Be In Final Weeks

BOSTON — Massachusetts' school mask mandate may be in its final weeks as some states moves to end their own mandates amid a widening policy shift in the battle against COVID-19.

The current edict is in place through at least Feb. 28, at which time state education officials would determine if it should be extended. But Gov. Charlie Baker suggested the mandate may not be extended for a fourth time.

Delaware Gov. John Carney on Monday signaled the end of school mask mandates would be March 31, while New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said his state will drop school mask mandates March 7.

The dates eyed by the Democratic governors are "pretty consistent" with Massachusetts' Feb. 28 date, Gov. Charlie Baker told reporters Monday.

"Obviously every state is different with respect to where they are on COVID and these issues generally," Baker said. "I do think the dates that both Delaware and New Jersey are talking about are pretty consistent with that February 28th date."

Baker said state education head Jeff Riley will have an update on school mask mandates "in the not-too-distant future."

Other states are also looking at ending the school mask mandate sooner than later. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont wants to end school mask mandates Feb. 28, but said he would leave it up to individual districts.

The moves signal what the new phase of the pandemic might look like thanks in part to the prevalence of vaccines and in part to society's desire to return to something closer to normal.

Massachusetts communities are already moving to end indoor mask mandates, with Worcester being the latest city to drop theirs Monday night. Some cities and towns never even instituted a indoor mask mandates as omicron caused a post-holiday surge in COVID-19 cases.