Barrington Public Schools released a list of their new Covid mitigation measures, which include new rules about masks and quarantine times.

District officials shared a framework for how it will handle student mask requirements following March 4, when the governor’s mask mandate is dropped. 

However, some of the details in Barrington’s plan are still unclear.

The district’s press release referenced a “decision chart” which will be based on various metrics, including infection rates by school. The decision chart was not released with the rest of the statement.

“Schools who fall into low infection zones, as noted in the metrics-based decision-chart, will be able to allow for 'masks recommended but optional,'” stated the release, which was shared by Superintendent Michael Messore.

According to the press release, Barrington Schools will announce masking protocols each Friday for the week ahead. 

“The purpose of the weekly review is to be prepared in the event of an outbreak, spike, or introduction of a new variant,” stated the release. “Based on projections, the team feels relatively confident that ‘masks recommended but optional’ will be the standard protocol for the foreseeable future once the community and school rates are lower.”

In some cases, mask wearing will remain mandatory after March 4:

1. On buses and public transportation

2. When the infection rate is above “the blue section on the metrics” and someone is a close contact

3. When someone is a close contact in the home

4. “Required for people with positive tests who test negative on day 6/are eligible to return; must be worn for full 10 days from infectious period.”

The press release states that additional decision points and criteria are continuing to be discussed. 

“The team will reconvene before March 4 to adjust protocols related to contact tracing, testing, and distancing which will be impacted by the practices outlined above. Please note that, where referenced, all masks should be quality, well-fitted masks,” stated the release.

It is not clear whether these recommendations still need to go before the full Barrington School Committee for approval.

Barrington School Committee Chairwoman Gina Bae said the recommendations were not on the agenda for the committee’s meeting on Thursday, Feb. 17.

“I believe the task force is still working out the details of the full guidance as stated in the letter,” Ms. Bae wrote.

Quarantine time

Barrington Schools will be adjusting quarantine times for students who test positive but are vaccinated. Those students will now have the option to test to return on Day 6 if they are symptom-free. 

“If their rapid antigen is negative, they may return to school on day 6 and wear their mask through day 10,” stated the release. “If their rapid antigen is positive, they will quarantine and return on day 11.”

The district’s re-entry task force developed the recommendations.

The task force includes Andy Anderson, Gina Bae, Dave Burrows, James Callahan, Ed Daft, Paula Dillon, Megan Douglas, Ben Fillo, Doug Fiore, Denise Flores, Matt Glum, Len Parker, Lee-Ann Markowski, Kristen Matthes, Michael Messore, Lisa O’Connor, Dennis Perry and Gino Sangiuliano.