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Beginning on Monday, Feb. 28, the requirement that students, teachers, and staff wear masks inside Massachusetts schools will be rescinded, the governor announced, touting the state’s improved COVID-19 data.
"Our kids have had to put up with a lot of disruption, a lot of time alone, and has suffered a real learning loss over the past two years. There's no debating those points, no matter where you stand," Baker said. "From free and convenient testing to highly effective vaccines and breakthrough treatments, everyone now has the tools and the knowledge to stay safe with respect to COVID."
The move came days after New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy dropped the mandate effective Monday, March 7, and on the same day New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said that her state is doing “really, really well,” and announced that she is expected to address the requirement before the end of the month.
"During the past two years, the impact of COVID on children has caused a strain on their mental health, emotional well-being and academic success," Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley said.
"We are relieved to now be in a place where we can provide young people additional relief from COVID 19 restrictions, so they can continue to move towards normalcy in the classroom."
The choice of whether or not to continue to mandate beyond Feb. 28 is up to individual school districts, though masking will be required on all school buses and transportation, per federal guidance.
"While masking is no longer a statewide requirement, we ask all school leaders and students to make sure they respect all individual choices around mask-wearing," Riley said. "Please make sure to create a supportive environment that respects everyone's choice to do what is most appropriate and comfortable for them."
Massachusetts remains among the highest in the nation in vaccinating children against COVID-19, with approximately 82 percent of teens ages 16 through 19 receiving at least one shot. The state also boasts the greatest vaccination rate per capita in children between 5 and 11 years old.
"Given the extremely low risk for young people, the widespread availability and the proven effectiveness of vaccines and the distribution of accurate test protocols and tests, it's time to give our kids a sense of normalcy and lift the mask mandate on a statewide basis for schools," Baker stated. "COVID, like many other respiratory diseases that we're familiar with, will be with us for the foreseeable future."
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