Outdoor masking at public school campuses and HIDOE facilities will be optional for students, faculty and staff, effective on Wednesday, March 9. The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) will be updating its COVID-19 safety protocols to make outdoor masking at public school campuses and HIDOE facilities optional for students, faculty and staff, effective March 9. Indoor masking will continue to be required. The Department has required masking both indoors and outdoors as an added protection since the start of the school year. The updated guidance takes into consideration the latest recommendations from the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.