Haddonfield Schools End Outdoor Mask Mandate

HADDONFIELD, NJ — The Haddonfield Public School District has announced that it is ending the outdoor mask mandate. However, the mandate remains in effect when inside the building, the district announced on its website.

"Masks are no longer required outdoors for any person, regardless of vaccination status, including before, during, and after-school events/activities," the district said. "We encourage at least three feet of physical distancing outside, when feasible. Masks remain mandatory in school buildings for all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, through June 18. This mandate will also likely apply during HSD Summer Programs."

Individuals may continue to wear masks outdoors if they wish, and spectators are encouraged to maintain 3 feet of social distancing when at a large outdoor gathering.

The announcement came after Gov. Phil 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."

While the district didn't mention the heat in its announcement regarding masks, it did say that when the heat index is anticipated to be above 90 degrees, elementary students will eat lunch indoors, with at least six feet of physical distancing. It also provided the following tips for staying safe amid extreme heat:

• Stay hydrated: Encourage your children to drink water regularly and have it readily available, even before they ask for it
• Dress lightly: Dress your children in clothing that is light-colored, lightweight, and limited to one layer of absorbent material that will maximize the evaporation of sweat.

All the district's indoor spaces are air-conditioned, officials said.

"While our staff is directed to open windows, doing so when the temperature is high can significantly impact the learning environment," officials said. "As a result, we have directed our staff to have windows open to the greatest extent without compromising the learning environment. Even with windows close on hot days, our systems push in 20% fresh air above the required 10% by NJ Building Code. Wall fans should not run as they simply push around air and aid in spreading airborne contaminants."

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