Photo courtesy of Alexius Horatius
MALDEN, MA (AP) – The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has approved a measure giving state Education Commissioner Jeff Riley the authority to issue a universal mask mandate for K-12 public schools.
After Tuesday’s vote, Riley is expected to formally issue the mandate as early as Wednesday, and has previously said it would last through October 1.
A mandate would mark a shift for Governor Charlie Baker, who had previously left face covering decisions up to individual districts.
The number of new COVID-19 cases increased by nearly 1,300 Tuesday while the number of newly confirmed coronavirus deaths in Massachusetts rose by 16.
From The Associated Press
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