Fine Print: NJ’s New Details on Reopening Schools

New guidelines on mandatory face masks, with 10 exceptions

BY JOHN MOONEY , NJSpotlight

Title: “School Reopening Frequently Asked Questions”

Author: New Jersey Department of Education

When: Friday, Aug. 7, 2020

What it is: The Murphy administration on Friday released the latest guidance for the reopening of schools in the form of an FAQ (“frequently asked questions”). The guidelines include the latest rules on the mandatory use of face masks, conditions around social distancing in the classroom, and a range of other issues involved with opening schools.

What it means: To be determined. The rules are the Murphy administration’s latest updates to keep up with what is clearly a fast-changing landscape for the reopening of schools in the next month. Murphy has called for at least some in-school instruction, and last week added a rule that all students and adults wear masks.

What’s next: There has been considerable push of late for opening schools all-remotely, at least for now. School districts’ reopening plans are now under review by the state, with much more to come in the next days and weeks.