NEW JERSEY – Answering a question being posed by parents at many recent school board meetings across the state, students will not be required to wear masks in schools unless the district mandates it this fall, according to Governor Phil Murphy.
He made the announcement during a recent press conference. Full in-person instruction is also being mandated by the state this fall.
The New Jersey Department of Health is prepared to announce updated health and safety guidelines for the upcoming school year, according to the governor. He said he was encouraging health officials to “work collaboratively with the community on a masking policy that works for everyone.”
He noted those that feel more comfortable wearing masks would be able to do so. He also said that the state anticipates updated guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) later in the summer. New Jersey will consider any updates from the federal agency prior to the first day of the new school year.
Last spring the governor indicated that students and school staff in the state would most likely have to wear masks when school resumes in the fall with some flexibility for high school students who have been vaccinated.
Most high school students are expected to have been vaccinated by September.
The governor mentioned during the news conference that “there are recommendations on social distancing and that is absolutely one of the items on the list. It was noted that county health departments were working in tandem with school districts and the funds from ESSER (federal money designed to assist school districts with expenses related to COVID-19 conditions of materials and other costs) are being used to address ventilation, heating and cooling needs across schools in the state.
“Because of the vaccines in our tool box this is a largely preventable illness,” the governor said noting four additional COVID related deaths today.
Beyond COVID-19 pandemic related news, the governor also noted that he might soon be signing the state budget which was due on his desk “somewhere between soon and very soon. No budget is perfect but one we can all be very proud of and huge that will impact lives and save lives and I thank our legislative partners especially those in the Senate.”
The governor said he was hoping to take a vacation now that travel restrictions have been lifted. “I sure as heck hope to. “
When asked about a potential visit before Election Day by the president or vice president the governor remarked, “I can’t speak for them but this is a state they both know well and I would welcome them with open arms.” Governor Murphy is seeking re-election for a second term as governor this fall. He will be facing GOP nominee former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli.
