An appeals court ruling Tuesday will allow the state indoor mask mandate to remain in place until at least Friday.
The state Education Department immediately notified schools that they should follow the mask mandate.
Many schools, including those that had followed the initial ruling on Monday that lifted the mandate, said they would return to requiring masks when schools convene Wednesday. Those two contrary decisions left parents and educators confused about what to do and debating the choices made by their districts.
South Huntington schools superintendent Vito D’Elia, who had lifted the mask requirement for Tuesday classes, notified parents and staff Tuesday afternoon that the mandate was back in force on Wednesday.
“Schools must continue to follow the mask mandates provided by the NYS Department of Health that have been in place for all indoors while in school beginning Wednesday, January 26, 2022. Again, I appreciate your continued support and patience with regards to this ever evolving situation. While these recent changes have brought about much discussion and debate, it is my hope that our South Huntington community continues to work together to ensure the safety and success of our students and staff members,” he wrote.
On Monday, Justice Thomas Rademaker, a State Supreme Court in Nassau County, ruled that Gov. Kathy Hochul didn’t have the power to impose the mandate.
But Judge Robert J. Miller of the appeals court ruled late Tuesday afternoon that the earlier court decision should be stayed until it could be reviewed.