The North Penn School Board Has Approved A Health Plan Eliminating Mandatory Masking

LANSDALE, PA — The North Penn School Board has voted to make mask-wearing optional in the school district as long as the community remains in the 'medium' and 'low' tiers for COVID-19 transmission.

The board voted Monday to revise its health and safety plan to eliminate mandatory universal masking of students, staff and visitors, according to media reports and school district documents.

The move comes as other districts in and around Montgomery County are taking similar action after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently updated its masking guidance due to a recent drop in coronavirus numbers.

The new tiers presented by the CDC are 'low,' 'medium,' and 'high,' and many school districts in the area are now making mask-wearing voluntary since Montgomery County is now within the 'medium' transmission level.

The CDC says it recommends, but does not require, face masks to be worn in communities that are in the 'low' and 'medium' categories.

The website North Penn Now reported that the North Penn School Board took action during a special meeting Monday when it voted 7-0 to alter the health and safety plan to make masks optional.

To learn more, check out this updated version of the district's health and safety plan.