Newark Schools Hold Firm On Masks As Delta Variant Hits NJ

NEWARK, NJ — When it comes to coronavirus safety, the Newark Public School District will keep following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the local health department and “science,” officials say.

And for now, that will include masks for students, staff and visitors this September.

As the delta variant spurs a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases across the country, federal officials over the weekend recommended the use of face masks in public. But while numbers continue to spike in New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy said that decision should reflect "local realities."

Speaking during a news conference Monday, Murphy said he's not backing 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 article: NJ Mask Mandates Guided By 'Local Realities,' Gov. Says
• See related article: Delta Variant Continues Spread Despite NJ Vaccination Compliance

The Newark Public School District has already released its "Safe Return Plan" for 2021-2022, which includes mandatory face masks for all employees, students, visitors and anyone else entering school property.

There are some exemptions, including medical/developmental reasons, or during extreme heat outdoors or “high-intensity physical activity.”

• See related article: Masks For Newark Public School Students, Staff Will Continue

That plan is still on track, a spokesperson for the district told Patch on Monday.

“The district will continue to be guided by the CDC, Newark Health Department and science,” they said, adding that officials have been keeping tabs on the delta variant's impact in New Jersey. “The district closely monitors the trends and will continue to make decisions that are in the best interest of our students and staff, and we will notify families and staff if anything changes.”

This article contains reporting by Anthony Bellano and Montana Samuels, Patch staff

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