Westford's School Mask Mandate To Be Discussed Feb. 14

WESTFORD, MA — Westford school officials will meet Feb. 14 to discuss whether to follow the state and lift the district's mask mandate.

Superintendent Christopher Chew said he plans to make his recommendation to the School Committee at Monday's meeting. Until then, he cannot announce anything to the public.

Gov. Charlie Baker said Wednesday that the state mandate will end Feb. 28, giving districts the choice to make masks optional or continue to require them indoors.

Under current DESE guidelines that will expire on Feb. 27, schools need to have at least an 80 percent vaccination rate among students and staff to request a state waiver to go mask-optional. Under the new guidelines, all students and staff will have the option to mask regardless of school vaccination rate and individual vaccination status.

In Westford, 55 percent of residents between the ages of 5 and 19 are fully vaccinated, according to data from the state. As of Thursday, 10 percent have received a booster dose.