Private School Guidance Re: PA Dept. of Health Mask Order of 8/31/21

The Secretary of Health’s Order requiring masks in public and private schools is set to go into effect on September 7, 2021. The Secretary issued a FAQ responses document as well, though there are certainly many questions that were left unanswered. However, at this stage, the Order requires private schools to require that each teacher, child/student, staff, or visitor working, attending, or visiting a School Entity shall wear a face covering indoors, regardless of vaccination status, subject to some exceptions listed in the Order. For schools now determining how to comply, remember that because this is new, additional clarifications from the state may be forthcoming. We have done our best to answer common questions and provide the legal and textual support for our answers that the Health Secretary’s Order and FAQs have left unasked and unanswered: FAQ attached.