230,000 masks headed to NH schools

CONCORD- New Hampshire schools will soon receive nearly 230,000 cloth face masks as part of a nationwide program distributed 125 million masks to American public and private schools. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has allocated 229,925 masks for New Hampshire, targeted to students who are low-income or otherwise with high needs and schools providing in-person instruction. This is in addition to the 100,000 reusable cloth face masks distributed to New Hampshire schools in August by the N.H. National Guard and N.H. Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

“In our communications with New Hampshire educational leaders, securing adequate supplies of PPE has been a top concern,” said Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut. “Health and Human Services has identified masks as one of the important layers of protection that make it possible for our students to return to school safely, along with hygiene, social distancing, and other recommended practices. These cloth face masks will be targeted to students in need at schools providing in-person instruction.”

“We want to do everything we can to help schools get students back into the classroom safely,” added Governor Chris Sununu. “We have brought state agencies together to provide PPE for schools, businesses, and families across New Hampshire, and this latest batch of 230,000 masks will be a big help.”

Masks will be available upon request to all New Hampshire schools, K-12, offering in-person instruction, based on need and availability. A portion of the masks will be held for schools currently offering remote instruction for when they shift to in-person instruction.

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services cloth face mask announcement
• State-by-state allocations