MA School Reopening: Masks, Remote Learning Plan Required

MASSACHUSETTS — Schools must plan for remote and in-person learning and require new safety measures — including face coverings, hand-washing and more — when classes resume in the fall, state officials said Thursday.

The Initial Fall School Reopening Guidance requires students above the first grade wear face coverings and has all students likely eating meals in their classroom to avoid the possible spread of the coronavirus. It also requires adults to wear masks and mandates desks be at least 3 feet apart and facing the same direction.

The guidelines do not require daily temperature-taking or COVID-19 testing. They also don't limit class sizes, leaving it up to educators to determine how many children can be taught safely with social distancing.

Perhaps most importantly, there was still no target date for when students will return to class.

"Our goal for the fall is to safely bring back as many students as possible to in-person school settings, to maximize learning and address our students’ holistic needs," the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education said in a statement. "With the information provided in this memo, districts and schools should begin planning for a fall return that includes multiple possibilities, with a focus first and foremost on getting our students back into school buildings."

The guidelines said the precautions and protocols will make the risk of COVID-19 spreading in schools "likely lower" than in other places. They also shine a light on how different and difficult resuming mass education during COVID-19 will be.

The requirement of face coverings for all students in the second grade and above will be among the daily reminders of the challenges of educating during a pandemic.

Face coverings must be worn by everyone — students, staff and educators — unless there is a medical or disability exemption. Face shields can be used a replacement in some cases. Face coverings must also be worn on school buses.

There will be times for removing face coverings during the school day, but only when students are at least 6 feet apart and have the windows open or are outside. More guidance on this is expected.

An informal Patch study released this week suggests there could be widespread support for the in-school mask requirement. Eighty-six percent of some 9,000 respondents said schools should requires masks when they reopen.

Schools should aim for keeping students and staff at a social distance of 6 feet, but they must maintain a minimum of 3 feet.

Students and staff will also be expected to wash or sanitize their hands several times throughout the day, including after arriving to school, before eating, before putting on and taking off masks and before dismissal.

Schools must designate somewhere outside of the nurse's office that is an isolation zone where students who show COVID-19 symptoms can wait until family picks them up.

It is encouraged school officials use areas like gymnasiums and auditoriums for classes to help with social distancing.

Schools have been closed since March 15 due to the coronavirus outbreak. Gov. Charlie Baker on April 21 made that closure permanent through the rest of the academic year.

Patch will update this story

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