Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court issued a ruling Nov. 10 voiding the Pennsylvania Department of Health order requiring face masks in schools. The Corman et al. Beam case resulted in a decision that the DOH ruling was not valid.

The Aug. 31 order said all students, teachers, staff and visitors must wear face masks while inside K-12 school buildings and child care facilities regardless of vaccination status to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

In response to the court’s ruling, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s office filed an appeal with the state Supreme Court. This appeal triggered a stay of the ruling, which will keep the mask order in effect.

Guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of Education says schools should continue observing the masking order during the court proceedings until a final decision is reached.

“Based on these latest developments and the information received from the PA Department of Education, the masking order will remain in effect in all schools across the state,” said Northampton Area School District Superintendent of Schools Joseph Kovalchik in an email communication to families. “As in the past, the goal is to have our schools remain open for five days a week of face-to-face instruction. Please be patient as we work through the information that just came to us about face coverings in schools. As soon as I receive updated information, I will be in contact with you.”

Wolf announced Nov. 8 the intention to end the statewide mask mandate in schools Jan. 17, 2022. This would return masking guidance to the local leaders and school districts.

The PDE’s Nov. 10 statement to schools included its support of the current masking order.

“School masking is a necessary public health measure to keep children safe and provide them with as much in-person learning in school as possible,” according to the PDE. “Medical experts agree - hospitals and health care professionals across the state support the masking requirement. Requiring masks in schools is helping to keep students in classrooms and the virus out and is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics.”