ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The Maryland State Board of Education has voted to allow local school districts to decide whether K-12 students must wear face coverings.
#Update: Based on latest metrics, vaccination rates, data & research, the State Board voted to remove the statewide emergency face covering requirement in schools beginning March 1, contingent on legislative approval.
— Maryland State Department of Education (@MdPublicSchools) February 22, 2022
The AELR must review and approve to repeal the emergency reg. https://t.co/NydgGGew1x
The 12-2 vote by the board on Tuesday to end an emergency order on March 1 that limits when local officials can end the policy sends the proposal to a legislative committee to make a final decision.
Under the current policy, local school systems can decide to end the mask requirement if the spread of COVID-19 is moderate or low for 14 days in a row or if vaccination rates are higher than 80% in the school or community.