The Maryland State Board of Education voted this afternoon to approve a regulation requiring universal mask wearing inside all schools in the state this year, WBAL-TV (NBC affiliate) reports.
“We did not want to see another situation where we would potentially have to close down a school close down a school system,” the station quoted board President Clarence Crawford as saying. “We’re trying to create an environment where we have a safe, consistent education system and do our absolute very best to allow our children to be children.”
The regulation still needs to be approved by the General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review, but that vote is not expected until mid-September. The governor could also waive the approval requirement.
The state board plans to review the regulation, which lasts for six months, every month, rescinding it if Covid-19 metrics improve in the state.
