Lawrence Public Schools Remove Outdoor Mask Mandate

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — With temperatures and humidity soaring, Lawrence Township Public Schools will not require students and staff to wear masks outdoors, the district announced Tuesday.

"In accordance with Governor Murphy’s recent announcement, when the temperature and humidity outdoors are uncomfortably high (much like today), our district will not require students and staff to wear masks outdoors, as such conditions may have a negative health impact on individuals wearing a face mask," Superintendent Ross Kasun said in a letter to the school community.

The change takes effect Wednesday.

However, mask mandates will be upheld for all indoor settings, "as most of the areas inside our schools are air-conditioned," Kasun said.

Lawrence Schools has joined other New Jersey school districts in removing outdoor mask mandates this week.

The announcement follows guidance from Gov. Phil Murphy who on Monday said districts can make decisions in cases of extreme heat.

"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.

"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."

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