According to the digital edition of the Fall River Herald, all students and staff at Fall River, Somerset and Westport schools will be required to wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 for at least the first month. 

The mask rule would be in effect through Oct. 1 to “provide time for more students and educators to get vaccinated.” 

They have announced that exceptions will only be made for those with certain medical conditions. Currently, COVID-19 vaccines are only available to those age 12 and older. Kids ages 12 to 15 can only receive the Pfizer two-shot COVID-19 vaccine. 

Elementary schools, which serve students from ages 5 to about 10, would therefore be unlikely to see the mask mandate lifted under these guidelines, barring any changes in vaccine eligibility.