Manasquan Seniors Test Positive For Coronavirus (UPDATE)

MANASQUAN – A few graduating seniors in the Manasquan School District have tested positive for COVID-19 and they were not going to attend the in-person graduation ceremonies on Monday, officials said.

These students are now quarantined at home, according to the school district.

The news comes after Manasquan suspended its recreation program after several beach and recreation employees were diagnosed with the coronavirus, officials said. Read more: Manasquan Suspends Recreation After Local COVID Outbreak (UPDATE)

The Monmouth County Department of Health is currently engaged in contact tracing and contacting anyone with whom the students came in contact. Any person – student or guest – contacted by the Department of Health and required to quarantine was not allowed to attend the graduation ceremony.

The Health Department advised that proceeding with the planned in-person ceremony is both "appropriate and safe so long as our protocols and guidelines are followed," according to Robert Goodall, the school's principal.

Protocols and guidelines for graduate candidates included:

• Graduates were to arrive by 5 p.m. with their cap and gown at the “Horseshoe” on Broad Street and be directed to a check-in table by alphabet.
• Graduates were to be screened by answering symptom questions at check-in.
• Students were not allowed to bring water bottles or beverage containers. Water was to be supplied on the field.
• Face coverings were required for all graduates at the ceremony.
• Everyone was to receive only a diploma cover at the ceremony. The actual diplomas will be mailed home following the ceremony.