On Dec. 10, Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court struck down the state’s school mask mandate, ending the universal mandate effective immediately.
As such and as previously communicated, NHSD will require masks dependent on Allegheny County’s Community Transmission Level as outlined in the district’s health and safety plan which was approved by the NHSD Board of Education on Aug. 17, 2021.
Under the plan, masks are required for all students and staff in district buildings during school hours when Allegheny County has a high and substantial community transmission level for COVID-19. Allegheny County is currently at a high level of community transmission. The county’s current community transmission level can be viewed anytime on the CDC’s website.
“As I’ve said all along, it’s this health and safety plan that has allowed us to keep kids in school. When our students are masked, we do not have to quarantine based on close contact. Altering this plan at this time, when community transmission is still high, is not something that is not in the best educational interest of our students,” said Superintendent Dr. Patrick Mannarino.
When Allegheny County is in the moderate transmission level, masks are required for all unvaccinated individuals in all district buildings during school hours.
When Allegheny County is at a low transmission level, masks are not required.
Masks are no longer required indoors at after-school and weekend events, activities and athletics but strongly encouraged. There are no mask requirements outdoors.
NHSD’s health and safety plan as approved by the school board on Aug. 17 can be reviewed in its entirety here.
