Cinnaminson Developing Safety Guidelines As Delta Variant Hits NJ

CINNAMINSON, NJ — Administrators in the Cinnaminson Public School District are still mulling over questions surrounding masks and other reopening plans as the new school year nears.

As the delta variant spurs a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases across the country, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday recommended that people who are vaccinated and in areas at high risk for the coronavirus wear masks indoors.

On Wednesday, Gov. Phil Murphy and State Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli strongly recommended that both vaccinated and unvaccinated residents wear masks in indoor settings when there is increased risk. Read more here: NJ Updates Mask Guidance After CDC Announcement

As of July 17, Burlington County was at moderate risk, according to the state's COVID-19 activity report, which is released weekly.

He still has not backed down on his stance that schools need to return to a fully in-person, five-day a week format in the fall. And while the state is not mandating the use of masks among unvaccinated students, school districts can choose to go beyond what the state is recommending, he said.

• See related: NJ Mask Mandates Guided By 'Local Realities,' Gov. Says
• See related: Delta Variant Continues Spread Despite NJ Vaccination Compliance

“We are in the process of developing our guidelines and have not released anything official,” Cinnaminson Superintendent of Schools Stephen Cappello told Patch on Tuesday.

When it outlined its plans for a safe reopening earlier this summer, the school district said it would continue to follow requirements for face coverings as set forth by the state at the time that schools reopen in the fall, and adjust as guidance evolves.

Exceptions already exist for extreme temperatures, high-intensity physical activities, food consumption, and for scenarios that heighten medical risk. Masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) will be made available to staff and students. Read more here: Cinnaminson Schools Outline Plan For Safe Reopening

The district’s board of education is next scheduled to meet on Aug. 31 at the middle school. The first day of the 2021-22 academic year is Sept. 9.

This article contains reporting by Montana Samuels, Patch staff

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