State Announces End to Mask Mandate; Hudson Postpones Decision
Governor Baker announced the end of the mask mandate in public schools for February 28 in a news conference on February 9 |Boston Globe file photo Matthew J. Lee
February 9, 2022
UPDATE 2/10/2022, 10:15 a.m.
In an email to the HPS community, Superintendent Dr. Marco Rodrigues announced that the district would continue masking requirements through the week of March 7, and then make a decision.
“This will safeguard all staff and students a safe return to school after the February vacation,” said Dr. Rodrigues
He also stated that they will continue to work closely with the Hudson Health Department for support and guidance as well as continue to monitor school and town COVID-19 indicators.
“We are cognizant that opposing views exist regarding the mask requirement. We are confident that the trend in local COVID-19 indicators will allow us to lift the mask requirement in the near future,” said Dr. Rodrigues.
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Today at the Massachusetts State House, Governor Charlie Baker and Jeffrey Riley, Commissioner of Elementry and Secondary Education, announced that starting February 28, the statewide mask mandate will no longer be required in public schools K-12, though the ultimate decision is up to local districts.
“Our education officials pulled out every stop so kids can learn in school safely,” said Baker. “We also know that our kids had to put up with a lot of disruption.”
Baker said that kids and educators are their top priorities, however, in specific scenarios, the requirement may still be required at the district level.
The governor also mentioned that all schools now have programs where students can have easy access to Covid-19 testing.
Riley stated, “We hope to continue to move toward a normal day in the classroom because that is where kids learn best.”
Nonetheless, Riley reminded the audience that the Covid-19 vaccination is still the best protection against the virus.
“We will continue to encourage vaccinations,” said Riley.
Riley further stated that other schools with 80% vaccinated students have already lifted the mandate and that they were successful.
“It’s time to give our kids a sense of normalcy and lift the mask mandate for schools statewide,” says Baker.
Hudson Public Schools released information about the masking requirements on February 10 (see above).
