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Face masks optional in new school year at PSS
This incoming school year, face masks will be optional for all Public School System campuses.
However, PSS “highly encourage” its stakeholders—teachers, staff, students, and parents—to consider their personal level of risk when deciding on mask-wearing.
PSS classes will start on Aug. 22, 2022.
In a memorandum on Monday, Aug. 8, Education Commissioner Dr. Alfred B. Ada said that effective SY 2022-2023, the wearing of face masks will no longer be mandated. “Together as one system, we have worked hard to mitigate the COVID-19 situation in our school communities.”
He said that PSS will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation in the community and will keep everyone updated as circumstances charge.
He cited several positive achievements at PSS, including the system’s high vaccination rate against COVID-19. “Lost school year, we launched a strong vaccination campaign and we are pleased to report that all our schools and departments are now at a 90%-plus vaccination rate. In collaboration with our local health partners, we were able to open up opportunities for testing and vaccination at our school sites and Central Office on a quarterly basis. We have four school nurses and 15 school monitoring and outreach specialists on board and have the necessary equipment and resources to directly assist with mitigating the spread of COV1D-19 on campus.”
With the latest update from the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. indicating that the CNMI is in Community Level Medium, the wearing of face masks is now optional for all employees and students while on PSS premises until further notice. “However, we highly encourage our stakeholders to consider their personal level of risk when deciding on mask-wearing.”
He assured that PSS will continue to revisit its health protocols and make decisions in the best interest of students. (Saipan Tribune)
