Medford Sets Mask Mandate For Upcoming School Year

MEDFORD, MA — All students and staff will be required to wear masks in Medford schools this fall, regardless of vaccination status, the district announced Wednesday.

"An official communication will be issued by the end of this week," according to a statement on the Medford Public Schools' Facebook page. "Thank you in advance as we continue to battle the global pandemic."

On Friday, Superintendent Marice Edouard-Vincent announced that masks are required while indoors for district-run summer activities.

The CDC recently updated the transmission rate for COVID-19 to "substantial" in Middlesex County, a level under which it recommends wearing masks indoors.

The mandate includes all literacy and math acceleration camps (Aug. 9 – 13), Camp Mustang (Aug. 17 – 19) and Summer Fun (ending Aug. 13). Mask breaks will be established, and students can remain unmasked during outdoor activities.