The New York State Education Department informed all school
districts that the mask mandate has not changed and is still in effect for
Monday.
This means that all students and faculty must wear a face
covering in the school and on school buses.
In a letter to the CDC Friday, state Commissioner of Health Dr. Howard
Zucker announced that the state planned to drop the mask mandate in school for
kids and adults beginning tomorrow.
The CDC has yet to respond, causing confusion among parents across the
state.
Many schools sent notifications to parents on Sunday notifying them of
the education department’s decision and stating that they were continuing mask
rules Monday.
This was the letter sent from the Education Department to
all school superintendents:
Dear Colleagues,
As of September 1, 2020, school districts were permitted to
reopen, under Executive Order 202.60, “subject to adherence to Department of
Health issued guidance and directives.” These have included the
submission of reopening plans to address, among other things, distancing and
health requirements.
SED has been in communication with Executive staff
regarding the attached letter from Dr. Howard Zucker, New York State
Commissioner of Health. According to conversations with Executive staff, the
intent of this letter was to obtain a response from the Centers for Disease
Control (CDC) regarding differing standards for summer camps and schools; it
has not changed any existing arrangements. Therefore, schools should
continue to operate under their existing procedures until further notice. No
changes have been, or will be, made by the Executive until after Monday June 7
to afford the CDC an opportunity to respond to the letter.
News 12 has reached out to the Department of Health, Gov. Andrew
Cuomo's office, and the Department of Education and are awaiting a
response.
The New York City Department of Education already stated late Friday that city schools would still be requiring masks.