Local school districts drop mask mandates after CDC updates guidelines

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — School districts in Hampton Roads and eastern North Carolina are dropping mask requirements in schools and school buses after recent new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control.

The new guidance from the CDC is:

Effective February 25, 2022, CDC is exercising its enforcement discretion to not require that people wear masks on buses or vans operated by public or private school systems, including early care and education/child care programs. CDC is making this change to align with updated guidance that no longer recommends universal indoor mask-wearing in K-12 and early education settings in areas with a low or medium COVID-19 Community Level.

Here’s what local school districts have decided:

Chesapeake

On Monday, Feb. 28, Chesapeake School Board members approved a resolution during their Monday night board meeting extending optional masking to adults. The resolution passed in an 8 to 1 vote with Dr. Patricia King voting against the policy. 

The change in mask policy comes three days after the CDC released updated guidance for communities at low and medium risk for COVID-19 transmission. Chesapeake city, according to CDC data, sits at low risk for the virus with a 7.23% community positivity rate. 

Portsmouth

On Monday, Feb. 28, Portsmouth Public Schools released a social media statement with their updated mask guidance:

Beginning tomorrow, March 1, masks will be optional for students to wear at school. In addition, in accordance with new guidance from the CDC, masks will now also be optional for students while on the school bus.

Suffolk

On March 25, Suffolk Public Schools sent a note home to families saying masks would no longer be required in schools or on school buses.

Dear SPS Family,

As you know, Suffolk Public Schools is committed to maintaining the health and safety of our students and members of our staff. As the population of vaccinated people increases, the level of transmission and health risks in our community is reduced. As a result, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Department of Labor and Industry support the rights of individuals to choose whether to wear masks or not to wear masks in non-federally mandated environments. That being said, I want to take the time to update you on recent changes to our mitigation strategy concerning mask-wearing in our division.

Yesterday evening, our Suffolk School Board voted to allow mask-wearing to be optional for staff members across our division, parents, visitors and volunteers to school campuses, and students riding SPS transportation. (This will also include students participating in athletics and extracurricular activities). Optional mask-wearing will go into effect on Monday, March 28, 2022. While we are giving the option to wear masks, Suffolk Public Schools may consider reasonable accommodations for anyone with underlying health conditions and those who do not feel comfortable removing their face covering. We will continue to keep plastic dividers on desks and the option for staff to wear plastic face shields. Staff members can discuss additional options with their principal or department lead.

We thank you for your patience and understanding as we have navigated through the fluidity of the pandemic for two years. You have held on steadfast to knowing that Suffolk Public Schools will always take extreme care and concern in implementing measures to keep our division safe. Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,
Dr. John B. Gordon, III
Division Superintendent

Virginia Beach

Effective Monday, Feb. 28, masks are optional for students and adult chaperones while on VBCPS transportation vehicles.

As a reminder, also as of Monday, masks are optional for students when on VBCPS property. This includes during extracurricular activities. Opt-out forms are not necessary and will no longer be collected by schools.

Masks are also optional for visitors while on VBCPS property.

All staff members are still required to wear masks in our buildings and while in our vehicles, per current Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) guidelines. This may change after a 30-day public comment period regarding a proposal to remove this requirement has ended.

Thank you for your support of Virginia Beach City Public Schools.

York County Schools

On Monday, Feb. 28, York County Schools sent the statement to the school community:

Late this afternoon, the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) released an update on the state standard which has required employers to maintain mask mandates for staff. The update aligns the state standard to newly released CDC guidance.

According to the state, employers may remove mask requirements in areas of medium or low COVID-19 Community Levels as defined by the CDC. According to the CDC, York County is now considered to be in the “low” level.

Effective immediately, masks will be optional for anyone while inside a YCSD building, bus or vehicle. The division will continue to adhere to mask guidance for individuals who have been exposed to COVID-19 or have tested positive for the virus. Additionally, we continue to encourage students and staff to stay home when sick.

North Carolina

Currituck County

Effective February 25, 2022, CDC does not require wearing of masks on buses or vans operated by public or private school systems, including early care and education/child care programs.

Masks will no longer be required on CCS buses effective Monday, February 28th.

Hertford County

Hertford County schools sent a message to families on March 29, 2022.

Hertford County Public Schools (HCPS) are making masks optional for all HCPS students and staff beginning Monday, April 4, 2022. The decision follows with much deliberation of the Board of Education on Monday night, March 28th during the closed session meeting. The Board of Education, while allowing mask wearing to be optional, encourages the continuous wearing of masks.  We support parental choice with regard to health decisions, including the decision to wear masks. So, we welcome students and staff on our campuses with or without masks. Our staff may request face coverings in situations where we need to be sensitive to immune-compromised individuals, especially when we have large gatherings. We ask that you consider these requests as a courtesy to others in our community.School visitation policies will be updated and school leaders will determine the opportunities for school volunteers and facility usage.