Barnegat Schools Make Masks Optional Amid Hot Weather

BARNEGAT, NJ — With high temperatures and high humidity affecting the area, Barnegat Township School District officials are making masks optional in classrooms and on buses, the district announced Monday night.

The change to the mask requirement that was instituted in the coronavirus pandemic went into effect immediately, the district said.

"Effective immediately, masks will be optional in our school district, inclusive of the classroom, school bus, etc.," school officials said in an email alert to parents. “We are all very much looking forward to a safe and productive final two weeks of this school year.”

Several school districts across New Jersey adopted the same policy after Gov. Phil Murphy said districts can loosen the requirement in cases of extreme heat. The provision was one of the exceptions included in the executive order on masking during the pandemic, according to Murphy.

"As a reminder to all school officials, our current masking requirements do include exceptions for cases of extreme heat in outdoor settings and for situations indoors or outdoors where wearing a mask would inhibit the individual's health," Murphy said Monday during a press briefing. "School officials are empowered to relax masking among students and staff in their buildings given extreme weather conditions, and we hope they will make the right calls for their educational communities."

Related: Middletown Students Can Now Take Their Masks Off Inside In School

Toms River Schools Make Masks Optional In Extreme Heat

Woodbridge Schools Relax Mask Mandate In Hot Classrooms Only

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