Mask Mandate Ends At SoWashCo K-12 Schools

Woodbury MN

23 February, 2022

11:40 AM

Description

WOODBURY, MN — A districtwide mask mandate for students, staff and visitors is no longer in place within South Washington County Schools. Officials lifted the mandate Wednesday after a significant recent drop in coronavirus cases, but they are "strongly" recommending students and staff continue to wear masks. The district started the 2021-22 school year with a mask mandate in place at its elementary and middle schools. Officials expanded that mandate to the high schools in January after cases surged among staff and students to start 2022. Diggins Caps Historic Olympics With Silver Medal In 30KM Race The district lifted the mask mandate for high schools on Feb. 2, but left it in place at elementary and middle schools for three more weeks. As of Wednesday, masks are only required on district transportation and within SoWashCo's early childhood programming, as vaccines aren't available to children under 5, officials said. State Sen. Bigham Aims To Reclaim Seat On Washington County Board South Washington County Schools officials are urging parents to keep their children home if they are sick and to get them tested for COVID-19 if they show symptoms related to the coronavirus. "The change to masking in K-12 schools does not remove your responsibility as a parent or guardian," district officials said. "If your child is sick, please keep them home." Anyone who tests positive for the coronavirus must isolate at home for five days and wear a mask at school for the next five days, according to recently updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Polar Plungers Raise $67K In Woodbury For Special Olympics MN Those who cannot wear a mask for the second five-day period will not be allowed back in class until the full 10-day period has expired. Students will be required to quarantine for five days if there is a positive case in their household unless they are fully vaccinated or had COVID-19 in the past 90 days, the CDC guidelines state. REGIONAL NEWS: Stillwater High Locked Down After Teen Fled Into School: PoliceCar Parked On River In Stillwater Spurs 911 Calls: Report3 Woodbury Schools Taken Off From COVID-19 Outbreak ListNew MN Congressional Maps Released: What's Changing In Woodbury?