K-12 schools reviewing mask policies; optional at PC

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Rhode Island is in the process of relaxing its mask policies, and schools around the state are working to decide their plans moving forward.

The order for businesses and other establishments to require patrons to wear masks or provide proof of vaccination was lifted last week, and the indoor mask mandate for schools will end March 4 as long as the COVID-19 data continues to trend in the right direction.

Cases and hospitalizations have fallen sharply since spiking in early January. The R.I. Department of Health disclosed 266 new positive cases on Wednesday and one additional death, while hospitalizations fell to 184.

While the school mask mandate is set to expire, individual districts will be able to set their own policies beyond March 4.

On Tuesday, Gov. Dan McKee signed an extension of his executive order requiring masks be worn inside schools. He told reporters outside an event Wednesday that he believes districts deciding how to move forward will “work out well.”

“It will allow parents to weigh in on what’s important for their children in each school district, and I think that democracy works well when we actually get it out there on the local level,” McKee said.

R.I. Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green announced the state-run Providence Public School District will continue to require masks, citing low vaccination rates in the school community.

“Some districts have already decided, some are in the process of deciding,” she said Wednesday. “But they do not have to resubmit a plan, because the plan that they submitted early on was an opening plan, and we have been open.”

Districts like North Kingstown, Lincoln and Portsmouth have decided to strongly recommend that masks be worn indoors by students, staff and visitors once the mandate is lifted.

School committees in other districts are expected to discuss their plans and issue decisions in the coming days.

The North Providence and Westerly school committees are meeting Wednesday night to discuss mask policies, while Coventry, Cumberland, Jamestown, Johnston, Middletown and Pawtucket all have meetings scheduled for Thursday night.

With the federal mandate regarding public transportation still in place, masks will still be required on school buses for the time being.

Colleges and universities may also update their policies. On Wednesday, Providence College President Fr. Kenneth Sicard said starting at 5 p.m., masks will be optional inside buildings on campus with two exceptions:

• Medical/clinical settings: masks are still required
• Classrooms: instructors can require masks if they wish

Sicard noted that 97% of the campus community has completed the primary vaccination series and 78% has gotten a booster dose so far, while cases have declined significantly.

Steven Maurano, PC’s associate vice president of public affairs, government and community relations, said the college is also still requiring weekly testing for those who remain unvaccinated.

“We’re hopeful that the combination of vaccinations and boosters and the declining numbers of COVID throughout the state will allow us to continue this way for the rest of the semester,” he told 12 News. “But certainly we stand ready to reinstitute the masking protocol if we feel it’s necessary.”

Other colleges and universities have kept their mask mandates in place, but Johnson & Wales and Salve Regina both indicated they plan to reassess the situation next month.