Round Rock ISD To Lift Mask Mandate In January 2022

Round Rock TX

20 December, 2021

11:02 AM

Description

ROUND ROCK, TX — Round Rock ISD will no longer require its campuses to wear face masks starting in mid-January, according to the RRISD superintendent. With the COVID-19 vaccine now available for kids ages 5 to 11, the district decided to lift its mask mandate on Jan. 19, Superintendent Hafedh Azaiez told the public in a letter to the school community on Friday. Azaiez said the district would wait for two weeks after students return from winter break before lifting the requirement so that staff can monitor any potential spike in virus cases. "As we head into the holidays and prepare to return for spring semester, concerns remain for the possibility of another COVID-19 surge and the emergence of the omicron variant," Azaiez wrote in the letter. "We will continue to monitor the community health status and adjust protocols as necessary." Even after the mandate is lifted, the superintendent said masks would still be "strongly encouraged" for all students, staff and visitors on district campuses and facilities. The district also recommended those traveling over the break to get tested regularly. Round Rock ISD's COVID-19 testing site, located at the Raymond E. Hartfield Performing Arts Center, will remain open during the holiday break, Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome or appointments can be made online.