Cherry Hill Schools Clarify Mask Rules Relating To Heat

CHERRY HILL, NJ — Cherry Hill Schools are clarifying the rules for when masks must be worn as a heat wave grips New Jersey.

In a letter to the community sent out Tuesday morning, the district reiterated that an executive order Gov. Phil Murphy signed last month lifting the mandate on wearing masks doesn't apply to schools.

"However, the mandate also includes a caveat allowing students who are outdoors to remove their masks under certain circumstances," the district said in the message. This includes:

• When the individual is exposed to extreme heat outdoors
• When the individual is eating or drinking
• When the individual is engaged in high-intensity aerobic or anaerobic activity

"As a district, we define extreme heat as an outside temperature or heat index above 79 degrees," the district said. "Information about the National Weather Service Heat Index is available online. Masks must still be worn by everyone inside of all of our buildings, at all times, with the exception of staff members in a room by themselves."

The district sent the message after Murphy reiterated that local school districts have the flexibility with requiring indoor mask-wearing due to the excessive heat during a news conference Monday afternoon.

"Our current masking requirements do include exceptions for cases of extreme heat and outdoor settings, and for situations indoors or outdoors where wearing a mask would inhibit the individual's health," Murphy said. "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."

See related: NJ Weather: Storms, 40-MPH Wind, Heat As Schools Drop COVID Masks