Mask tracker: Last batch of K-12 mandates have come to an end

Requirements are now coming to an end even in more liberal states where mandates had received the most support

***This story is no longer being updated as of  April 1, 2022.***

Masks mandates have ended in almost every district. Here’s a state-by-state roundup of where masks are mandated and where they are optional:

CALIFORNIA:  Los Angeles USD lifted its mask mandate on March 23.

California’s statewide mask mandate was lifted on March 11. San Francisco USD made masks optional in middle and high schools on March 12 and will lift the mandate for elementary schools on April 2. San Diego USD will make masks optional on April 4. Sacramento City USD will lift its mask requirement on April 18.


MAP: Districts’ operational status across the U.S.


COLORADO: Denver dropped its mask requirement for schools on Feb. 25.

CONNECTICUT: Bridgeport Public Schools will lift its mask mandate on March 31. The state’s school mask mandate ended on Feb. 28.

DELAWARE: The statewide school mask mandate ended on March 1.

GEORGIA: Clayton County Schools will keep its mask mandate in place until summer, Fox5Atlanta reported.

HAWAII: The state’s indoor mask mandate is set to end on March 25 but officials expect schools will continue to require masks, Hawaii News Now reported.

ILLINOIS: Chicago Public Schools made masks optional on March 14. The state indoor mask mandate, which covers schools, ended on Feb. 28.

KANSAS: Topeka Public Schools lifted its mask mandate on March 3.

KENTUCKY: Fayette County Public Schools made masks optional on March 15. Jefferson County Public Schools made masks optional on March 10. Districts can make masks optional in communities at low and medium risk of COVID spread, state officials announced on Feb. 28.

LOUISIANA: NOLA Public Schools (New Orleans) made masks optional on March 21. Natchitoches Parish School Board lifted its mask mandate on Feb. 1.

MARYLAND: Montgomery County Public Schools lifted its mask mandate on March 8. Baltimore City Public Schools dropped its mask mandate on March 14. Masks became optional in Harford County Public Schools on March 1. Masks became optional in Anne Arundel County Public Schools on Feb. 18.

MASSACHUSETTS: The state’s school mask mandate was lifted on Feb. 28.

MICHIGAN: Masks became optional in Grand Rapids Public Schools on Feb. 28.

MINNESOTA: Minneapolis and St. Paul schools are still requiring universal masking as of late March, the Pioneer Press reported.

NEVADA: The state’s mask mandate for schools and other public places was lifted on Feb. 10.

NEW JERSEY: The state’s universal mask mandate ended on March 7.

NEW MEXICO: The state dropped its school mask mandate on Feb. 17, allowing districts to set their own requirements. Albuquerque Public Schools immediately made masks optional.

NEW YORK: Masks became optional in New York schools on March 2.

NORTH CAROLINA: Asheville City Schools made masks optional on March 14. Masks became optional in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools on Feb. 28. Masks became optional in The Wake County Public School System and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools onMarch 7.

OHIO: Cleveland Metropolitan School District and Columbus City Schools made masks optional on March 8. Cincinnati Public Schools suspended its mask mandate on March 7.

OREGON: The state’s mask mandate for schools expired on March 11Portland Public Schools has lifted all mask requirements.

PENNSYLVANIA: The School District of Philadelphia made masks optional on March 9.

RHODE ISLAND: The school mask mandate was lifted on March 4.

TENNESSEE: Memphis-Shelby County Schools lifted its mandate on Feb. 28.

TEXAS: Masks became optional in Dallas ISD on Feb. 28, in Houston ISD on March 1 and Austin ISD on March 7.

VERMONT: Masks became optional in schools on March 14.

WASHINGTON: The state’s mask mandate ended on March 11Seattle Public Schools will lift its mask requirements on March 14.

WASHINGTON, D.C.: District of Columbia Public Schools will make masks optional on March 16.

Matt Zalaznick
Matt Zalaznick
Matt Zalaznick is a life-long journalist. Prior to writing for District Administration he worked in daily news all over the country, from the NYC suburbs to the Rocky Mountains, Silicon Valley and the U.S. Virgin Islands. He's also in a band.

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