New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said the statewide mask mandate for schools will continue “for the foreseeable future,” even after his last remaining public health emergency powers expire. Under an agreement reached last summer between Murphy and state lawmakers, all of Murphy’s administrative orders, directives, and waivers that relied on the existence of the public health emergency were extended until Jan. 11, 2022. That agreement covers Executive Order 251, which requires that all students, staff, and visitors wear masks inside school buildings, regardless of their vaccination status. Speaking at a press conference in Trenton on Jan. 10, Murphy indicated that he will keep the school mask mandate in place to ensure the return of in-person instructions amid the latest wave of COVID-19 pandemic. “Because we must keep our kids learning in person, I want to be clear with no joy that the mask mandates in schools and daycare centers will …