The state has dropped its mask mandate for students in summer school, leaving it up to individual school districts to decide on what to require.
“Given current low rates of COVID-19 transmission, schools/district[s] may decide to implement revised masking policies consistent with those available” to summer camps, the state Department of Health said Thursday.
Some districts had already begun changing their rules.
South Huntington superintendent Dr. Vito D’Elia said that effective Monday, vaccinated staff won’t be required to wear face coverings indoors. Unvaccinated staff will be required to wear masks indoors. Unvaccinated children are strongly encouraged but not required to wear face coverings while attending indoor activities.
The DOH said school districts can follow interim summer camp guidance that was updated on Wednesday.
Huntington Superintendent James W. Polansky said, “While it has been difficult to reason through spontaneously changing State guidance at times, it makes sense for guidance related to summer schools to align with that for camp and childcare settings.”
On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that vaccinated teachers and students don’t have to wear masks indoors.