Pascack Valley will be “mask optional” starting March 7 according to an email from Interim Superintendent Daniel Fishbein on Tuesday, Feb. 8.

Governor Phil Murphy announced Monday, Feb. 7 that the mask mandate for New Jersey schools would be lifted on March 7; however, school districts could decide to require masks. 

Effective March 7, the statewide mask mandate in schools will be lifted.

Balancing public health with getting back to some semblance of normalcy is not easy. But we can responsibly take this step due to declining COVID numbers and growth in vaccinations. https://t.co/CjnIYZycCe

— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) February 7, 2022

According to Fishbein, infection rates will be monitored and the district will continue to work with local medical experts to decide if masks need to be required again.

“If infection rates increase dramatically, masking may once again be required and those decisions will be made in the best interests of district students and employee safety,” Fishbein said.

Fishbein also said the district is awaiting new guidance on contact tracing and quarantining and will continue to inform the community as it updates.