The Upper Perkiomen School Board voted last week to approve an updated Health and Safety Plan that loosens restrictions on excluding students from in-person learning. Members Raeann Hofkin and Keith McCarrick voted against the motion that implements a "mask to stay" program for students.

            Under the new program, which commenced this week, students and staff who are exposed to COVID-19 in school or in the community, and who are asymptomatic, will be allowed to continue to attend school with required mask-wearing at all times, when around other people, for ten days after the date of exposure. Those close contacts will also be required to test one time between days four and six after the exposure, according to the guidance language.

            It also states that if an individual cannot wear a well-fitted mask at all times during that 10-day time period, or refuses to test, the exposed individual cannot participate in "Mask to Stay" (MTS) and must complete standard quarantine.

            Assistant Superintendent Andrea Farina described the new guidance issued by the Montgomery County Health Department as counterintuitive. She said during the Jan. 13 meeting that students deemed as close contacts will be required to wear their facemasks during all extracurricular activities for 10 days.

            Individuals who develop symptoms of COVID-19 or test positive in the new program are ...