February 9, 2022

Dear School Community:

On Wednesday, February 9, Governor Hochul announced that the statewide indoor business mask-or-vaccine requirement will be lifted starting Thursday, February 10, and will remain optional for businesses, local governments and counties to enforce. However, masks will remain mandatory in schools and other high-density settings, such as nursing homes, adult care facilities, correctional facilities, detention centers, homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, public transit and transportation hubs, as well as trains, planes and airports in accordance with federal regulations. Westmo logo

According to Governor Hochul, the mask requirement in schools will be reevaluated in early March and the reevaluation will be based on public health data, including key metrics like cases per 100,000 residents, hospital admission rates, vaccination rates, global trends and pediatric hospitalizations. Additionally, according to Governor Hochul, plans are underway to distribute two tests for every K-12 student ahead of midwinter recess, and continue distribution the following week when students return to school.

Please remember the mask requirement is a state policy our district is mandated to follow. I will continue to keep you updated on this matter and the district will be prepared to revise protocols based on additional and/or future guidance from Governor Hochul.

Sincerely,

Rocco Migliori Superintendent of Schools

Westmoreland Central School

Governor Hochul: Mask Requirement in Schools Remains in Effect