Trenton: Today Phil Murphy released the following statement. Today, the New Jersey Department of Education and New Jersey Department of Health
will release health and safety recommendations for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year. Masking by students will not be mandatory in school buildings unless a district decides to require masking as part of its own protocols.

All schools must prepare to open for full-time, in-person instruction. The guidance being released today is to ensure this happens.

We anticipate updated guidance from the CDC regarding the wearing of masks.

NJDOE and NJDOH recommendations will be updated accordingly once the guidance is released.

Absent any dramatic change in our situation before the beginning of the school year, masking by students while in their school buildings will NOT be mandatory – unless a school district requires masking as part of its own protocols.