Toms River Schools Make Masks Optional In Extreme Heat

TOMS RIVER, NJ — With temperatures and humidity soaring, Toms River Regional School District officials are making in-school masks optional for students and staff, the district announced Tuesday.

The change to the mask requirement that was instituted in the coronavirus pandemic takes effect Wednesday, the district said.

The announcement followed a tweet from Gov. Phil Murphy saying districts can make that decision in cases of extreme heat.

"School officials are empowered to relax masking among students and staff in their buildings given extreme weather conditions," Murphy tweeted, and added that the provision was one of the exceptions included in the executive order on masking in the midst of the pandemic. COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations have continued to decrease in recent weeks.

"Following Governor Murphy’s recent announcement which eases mask restrictions in cases of extreme heat, the district will make the wearing of masks optional effective June 9, and for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year," the announcement said. "This pertains to all environments — on buses, outdoors, and in all classrooms and common areas."

"Staff and students who choose to continue wearing masks are encouraged to do so, and the district remains committed to its ongoing efforts ensuring our schools are safe and healthy," the announcement said.

About 15 parents brought signs and demanded the Toms River school board drop the mask mandate at the May 19 school board meeting, and the school board sent a letter to Murphy a few days later urging him to drop the mandate in schools, where masks were required even as restaurants and bars and many other areas were reopening to 100 percent capacity with no masks required. Read more: Toms River School Board Urges Murphy To End In-School Mask Rule

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