Mask mandates to end in diocesan schools on March 2

Catholic schools across the Albany Diocese will no longer require a mask mandate for students, effective March 2. 

The shift comes in the wake of Governor Kathy Hochul’s announcement on Feb. 27 that ended New York’s current mask mandate for all schools, citing strong vaccination rates among teens and declining trends in COVID cases. 

All 21 of Albany Diocese’s Catholic schools will be lifting the mask mandate that previously required all students, school staff and visitors to wear a face covering in any school buildings or on buses. 

According to data from the CDC, 81.1 percent of New Yorkers between the ages of 12-17 have received at least one vaccine dose and 71.4 percent have completed the vaccine series. As of Feb. 26, the state’s COVID-19 positivity rate is 1.88 percent.

An individual county department of health office could impose a county-wide mandate, however, for their schools if infection rates increase.

Joe Kilmade, principal of Saratoga Central Catholic School, will be lifting the mask mandate for all students and staff at the 6-12 school starting on Wednesday.

“Our school community has been very understanding and cooperative as things have changed,” Kilmade said. “Now that (the mandate) is being lifted, we’re going to lift it as well. It’s a school-based decision and we intend to lift it.”

The issue of masks in schools has been a divisive matter since the beginning of the pandemic. Kilmade noted that students and staff will still have the option to wear masks in school for their comfort, and will focus on cultivating a safe, judgment-free environment for all.

“Some families will be accepting this and some will be nervous,” Kilmade said. “They’ll be a level of support needed … and as a Catholic school we’re teaching kids to be respectful and honor the decisions of others.”