Masks will not be mandatory in New Jersey’s schools in the upcoming academic year, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday.

Murphy says the change depends on there not being any “dramatic” deterioration in coronavirus trends.

Students were required by state guidance to wear masks in their schools, except in some cases.

The Department of Education made its own announcement too, saying districts can make their own decisions to require masking on their own.

"This is our best sense of what back to school looks like,” says Murphy. “It's far more than an educated guess. But you know it's still over two months until school opens. We reserve the right depending on what the virus does or what the CDC does to revisit some of this."

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Murphy faced pressure from some parents who opposed the mandate in recent months and announced school districts had the ability to relax the rules.

Per CDC guidance, physical distancing measures will also be required. Students must also still wear masks on buses.

The guidance can also be adjusted before the first day of school. The CDC's school guidance isn't expected for another month.

The new school year will also mark the return to full-time in-person education. Many schools started the year remotely but then returned to some in-person education.

AP wire services helped contribute to this report.