Dear NY State Principals and Administrators,
The New York State Department of Health has announced new regulations regarding face masks in schools. It is our understanding that this applies to all schools, including yeshivos.
The new requirements state that effective immediately:
- Any person over the age of 2 (including all students, personnel, teachers, administrators, contractors, and visitors) must wear masks at all times indoors in school buildings, regardless of vaccination status.
- People with medical or developmental conditions that prevent them from wearing a mask may be exempted from mask requirements, as documented by a medical provider.
- People do not need to wear masks when eating, drinking, singing, or playing a wind instrument;
- When masks are removed for these purposes, individuals must be spaced six feet apart.
- Even when masks are not required, we would advise that, since the occasions when masks are required can occur quickly, individuals should always have masks clearly at the ready for when needed.
The wearing of masks is also required on school buses. Please see our prior memo here.
