At its meeting on Feb. 24, 2022, the Howard County Board of Education voted to make face coverings optional, based on the Maryland State Department of Education’s off-ramp option one for school districts to lift mask requirements.

Effective Tuesday, March 1, the universal indoor masking in HCPSS buildings is no longer required. Any student, staff or visitor may choose to wear a mask, and should feel comfortable doing so. Schools and offices will continue to have additional masks available as needed. 

Masks in Buildings
All students, staff and visitors will be able to choose if they wish to wear a mask in HCPSS buildings. While optional in buildings, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other health experts continue to recommend face masks as a precautionary measure. 

Per the CDC, masks are required in healthcare settings, so students and staff must continue to wear a mask in school health rooms.