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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) – The Archdiocese of Boston has announced they will follow the same guidelines as the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and repeal their indoor mask mandate at the end of the month.
The Archdiocese said the mandate, which will lift on Monday, February 28, applies to all students in their parochial schools and all Archdiocesan-related Catholic schools. Making the announcement Wednesday will give the schools time to adjust their policies and communicate the change with their respective communities.
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“As always, however, we will follow any local health board mandates.” The Archdiocese said in a statement. “Similarly, we will follow the existing federal order for mask wearing on school buses. DESE guidance on mask wearing for students returning after COVID cases will remain.”
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Teachers and staff members will be able to wear masks if they so choose and all parents can decide whether they want their kids to wear masks. In certain instances, the Catholic Schools Office will consider requests from individual schools where most parents and strong data would support keeping a mask mandate. The policy change will not apply to any Catholic schools that are not part of the Archdiocese.
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