Bernards Schools To Continue Following Mask Rules As Heat Rises

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — As temperatures rise, Bernards Township Schools will continue to follow the face mask policy set in place by Gov. Phil Murphy in March 2020.

Murphy sent out a tweet on Monday saying districts can make their own decision in regards to masking for students and staff in cases of extreme heat.

REMINDER: School officials are empowered to relax masking among students and staff in their buildings given extreme weather conditions. pic.twitter.com/oBIjUfBFgT
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) June 7, 2021

Some districts such as neighboring Bridgewater and Warren have both relaxed their mask policy for students and staff this week due to extreme heat. Read More: Bridgewater-Raritan Students Can Remove Masks If Needed In Heat

Bernards Township Superintendent Nick Markarian said the district is "following exceptions as allowed by [Executive Order] 175."

Put in place last year, the Executive Order calls for mandatory use of face coverings by staff, students, and visitors, except in some circumstances including:

• When doing so would inhibit the individual’s health;
• When the individual is exposed to extreme heat outdoors;
• When the individual has trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a face covering without assistance;
• When a student’s documented medical condition or disability, as reflected in an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Educational Plan pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, precludes the use of a face covering;
• When the individual is under two (2) years of age;
• When the individual is eating or drinking;
• When the individual is engaged in high-intensity aerobic or anerobic activity;
• When a student is participating in high-intensity physical activities during a physical education class in a well-ventilated location and able to maintain a physical distance of six feet from all other individuals;
• When a student, as part of music instruction, is playing an instrument that would be obstructed by the face-covering; or
• When wearing a face-covering creates an unsafe condition in which to operate equipment or execute a task.

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