I came across an updated from a school system yesterday so I thought I would put out an update to the “Mask Mandates in Maryland Schools: What we know up to this point“. Past updates were on August 2nd, 5th, 8th, 11th, 14th, 17th, 20th and 22nd.
The Garrett County Board of Education and took a vote on “Universal Masking” based on metrics. Here is a clip from the end of the meeting with the vote:
“Superintendent recommends universal masking to be implemented at all GCPS facilities while indoors beginning Monday August 30th, 2021. She further recommends we use the CDC Covid Data Tracker. If the metrics are such that Garrett County falls to low or moderate for two consecutive weeks using Friday as the date of measurement, then masks will be recommended on the following Monday. If the metrics in Garrett County go to substantial or high for one week, again using Friday as the day of measurement, then we will be required to go back to Universal masking again for a minimum of two weeks.”
The vote was 3 to 1 in favor of universal masking based on metrics. You can watch the full meeting and discussion here: https://www.garrettcountyschools.org/news/2021/08/garrett-county-board-of-education-meeting-live-stream-08-24-2021
Here is my updated list by jurisdiction
Requiring masks for students and staff:
- Allegany County
- Anne Arundel County
- Baltimore County
- Baltimore City
- Calvert County
- Caroline County
- Charles County
- Frederick County
- Garrett County
- Harford County
- Howard County
- Kent County
- Montgomery County
- Prince George’s County
- Queens Anne’s County
- St. Mary’s County
- Talbot County
- Washington County
- Wicomico County
Requiring masks for unvaccinated students and staff
- Dorchester County
Encouraging the use of face masks by students and staff who are not vaccinated or no mask mandate:
- Carroll County
- Somerset County
- Worcester County
The one jurisdictions not mentioned above is Cecil County County. Here is what I know so far:
Cecil County does not mention the wearing of face masks in their 2021-2022 reopening plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQBZGhfYDkRgW-zn__m9bZuYwyJVhueueqFUMomlE5c0-nVqri8mYHhwQ-m5-CqzVybVZbbRAthCQIh/pub
There should be a potential update TODAY:
CCPS continues to monitor the most recent COVID data and conditions in Cecil County and will make an announcement next Wednesday regarding the potential for mask use to begin the school year.
Things are still changing quickly and I will continue to watch out for further announcements or updates from other jurisdictions in Maryland. If you see updates always feel free to reach out and let me know.
Scott E
Sources:
- Scott E’s Blog: Howard County Public School System will require masks in school buildings for all students, staff and visitors, regardless of vaccination status
- WBAL: Face masks to be required in some Maryland schools in fall
- Fox 5 DC: School Mask Mandates: What you need to know in DC, Maryland and Virginia
- AACPS: https://www.aacps.org/2122update
- Calvert County Public Schools
- Carroll County: Carroll County Board of Education keeps masks optional for the start of the 2021-2022 school year for CCPS
- Harford, Kent Counties (CLICK HERE)
- Dorchester County “Unvaccinated students and staff to wear masks in all facilities” (Read More)
- Allegany County and Queens Anne’s County (CLICK HERE)
- Caroline County: https://www.carolineschools.org/ccps-blog/masks-now-required-in-caroline-schools/
- Talbot County: https://tcps.k12.md.us/
- Washington County: http://wcpsmd.com/news/2021-2022-school-year-faqs
- Wicomico County: https://www.wcboe.org/
- Somerset County: CLICK HERE
- Worchester County: http://worcesterk12.org/district_leadership/superintendent_of_schools/superintendent_messages/august_17__2021_-_RR2_released
- Additional sources noted above in this article
