The Hancock Central School District will follow new COVID-19 masking guidance for schools issued by the New York State Department of Health on March 2, the same day Governor Kathy Hochul ended the indoor mask mandate for New York schools.
While face coverings are no longer required in school settings, HCSD students, faculty, staff, and community members may continue to wear them as a personal choice. This means that, effective March 2, face coverings for non-infected individuals are optional in HCSD classrooms, athletic venues, co-curricular events, buses, and all other District venues.
As per the guidance, those who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate at home for five days and then wear a mask in school settings for days 6-10 after infection. Face coverings should be well-fitted and appropriately worn to cover both the mouth and nose. Masking is strongly recommended for 10 days after a known exposure, regardless of vaccination status.
Bullying others for wearing or not wearing a mask will not be tolerated.
Please note that because of the ever-changing nature of the COVID-19 global health crisis, HCSD retains the right to reinstate a face-covering mandate if directed to do so by the Governor, the New York State Education Department, the New York State Department of Health, or Delaware County Public Health.
The NYSDOH collaborated with the NYSED and education stakeholders to prepare the new masking guidance, which aligns with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control. This guidance is available by visiting the “New York State’s Approach to Isolation and Quarantine” online page at
https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/new-york-state-contact-tracing and scrolling down to the “Guidance & FAQs” section.
Posted 3/3/2022