Here Is the State’s Guide to School Masks.
With children returning to full-time school in the next few weeks, while the delta variant of COVID-19 outbreak , many parents are wondering if their children will need to wear a mask.
With this in mind, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a new guideline for K-12 schools recommending universal indoor camouflage for all students (age 2 and up) regardless of vaccination status. Despite the CDC’s advice, some states do not have school mask requirements, so here is a state-by-state list that summarizes the rules in which you live.
Please note: the rules for masks are constantly changing and the rules differ from county to county, where there is no state mandate. Check with your school district for the most accurate recommendation on the use of masks.
Alabama
Although there is no national mandate, at least 58 of Alabama’s 149 public school districts now require student masks, according to AL.com.
Alaska
Despite the lack of a national mandate, seven of the state’s 10 largest school districts, including Anchorage and Juneau, require universal camouflage.
Arizona
At least 10 school districts, including Phoenix Elementary School and Phoenix Union High School District, ignore Arizona Governor Doug Ducy’s ban on the use of masks, requiring their students to wear masks (fueling an ongoing legal battle).
Arkansas
Although Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed legislation in April banning schools from requiring masks, he is now working to lift the ban, telling The Associated Press : “Now that has changed. And yes, in hindsight, I wish it didn’t become law. “
California
California requires all public school students to wear masks.
Colorado
Centennial State does not have a school mask mandate, but the Denver and Jeffco School Districts will require one.
Connecticut
Governor Ned Lamont enacted a nationwide camouflage policy. While local health and education departments will publish updated rules prior to the start of the school year, schools are expected to follow state policy until then.
Delaware
Delaware requires all students to wear masks.
Florida
While Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis called the Biden administration’s recommendations for school-aged children “unscientific and contradictory” and signed an executive order protecting parental freedom to choose whether their children wear masks, some counties have announced masks will be required by 2021. -2022 academic year.
Georgia
Although the state of Georgia does not have a mandate to use masks, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is demanding face masks in the city, including more than 100 schools.
Hawaii
All students in Aloha are required to wear masks.
Idaho
Although Idaho does not have a national mandate, the Boise School District requires masks.
Illinois
In early August, citing “our current trajectory of hospitalizations and intensive care use,” Gov. JB Pritzker announced that all students would need masks.
Indiana
Indiana does not have a statewide mandate to use masks, but an increasing number of Central Indiana school districts are demanding them after there has been an increase in COVID-19 cases since school opened.
Iowa
The state of Iowa has banned schools from requiring masks.
Kansas
Kansas schools have a selection of required masks. In the state’s largest district, Wichita Public Schools, wearing masks indoors will be encouraged, but not required.
Kentucky
All students in Kentucky are required to wear masks. Kentucky Governor Andy Besheer announced the operationalization of all K-12 schools on August 10.
Louisiana
In Louisiana, masks are required in all premises, including schools, regardless of vaccination status.
Maine
Maine’s largest school district, Portland Public Schools, will require a universal disguise, while many other school districts will not.
Maryland
Maryland does not have a statewide mandate for school masks, but students in the Baltimore City, Frederick, Montgomery, and Prince George school districts will be required to wear masks at school.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts school districts will be able to decide on an individual basis whether to require masks for students. Counties in Boston, Springfield and Amherst have already decided to open the school this year.
Michigan
While the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services strongly recommends veiling in schools, mask requirements are at the discretion of local counties.
Minnesota
The State of Minnesota does not require masks in schools, but its top health and education officials recommend universal indoor masks for everyone (over 2 years old) in a school setting.
Mississippi
Calling the updated CDC mask-wearing guidelines ” stupid, ” Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves did not issue a statewide mandate for face closures in schools (despite being demanded by the Mississippi Educators’ Association).
Missouri
While Kansas City public schools require their employees to either be vaccinated against COVID-19 or participate in weekly tests, local education boards will decide whether their students should wear them.
Montana
Although the state of Montana has recommended indoor camouflage to students, it is not a national requirement.
Nebraska
In Nebraska, schools may require a mask. Several counties, including the largest public schools in Omaha, will require masks to be worn indoors.
Nevada
In the largest counties in the states, Clark and Washa, masks are required. In the remaining 15 constituencies, the decision remains with the constituencies.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire schools may require a mask, but they are not required to do so.
New Jersey
All Garden State students will return to school wearing masks.
New Mexico
While vaccinated middle and high school students are not required to wear protective masks in New Mexico, masks are required for elementary school students and staff throughout the state, regardless of vaccination status.
New York
Schools have the ability to mandate masks in New York State (and incoming governor Katie Hochul said she supports the requirement for masks for children in school). New York City schools will require them regardless of vaccinations.
North Carolina
In North Carolina schools, it is possible to request a mask. According to the Citizen Times, 55 of the state’s 115 counties have made face closure mandatory and 54 have made it optional.
North Dakota
School districts will decide whether their students will wear masks in North Dakota.
Ohio
Ohio schools do not have a statewide mandate to use masks; however, Columbus, Cleveland and Akron schools will make them compulsory.
Oklahoma
No masks are required in Oklahoma schools. At a July press conference, Gov. Kevin Stitt ruled out the requirement for school masks, saying, “This is about personal responsibility. It’s about freedoms. “
Oregon
Masks are required in all schools in Oregon.
Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, the issue of wearing masks is left to the discretion of individual school districts.
Rhode Island
While Gov. Dan McKee has not mandated face closure in schools, he is currently facing pressure from dozens of Rhode Island lawmakers to mandate statewide masks.
South Carolina
Masks are prohibited in South Carolina schools.
North Dakota
In late July, Governor Christie Noem tweeted: “I will not issue any statewide directives requiring or prohibiting the use of masks in our schools.” However, several counties will need them, including Sioux Falls and Rapid City.
Tennessee
Current state law allows school districts to install masks if they so choose. Mandates are already in place in Memphis and Nashville schools.
Texas
Although state law prohibits schools from installing masks, Dallas, Austin and Houston counties ignore the law by requiring them in schools. However, disputes between the state and local authorities continue as the Texas Supreme Court temporarily suspended mask orders in Dallas and Bexar counties.
Utah
Masks are not allowed in Utah schools.
Vermont
Although the Vermont Department of Education recommends that schools require masks for the unvaccinated, individual schools have the right to decide whether to make masks mandatory.
Virginia
Masks are required at all K-12 Virginia schools.
Washington
All students are required to wear masks in Washington State schools.
Washington
Everyone attending DC public schools is required to wear a mask this year.
West Virginia
While the decision to mandate the use of masks is left to schools in West Virginia for now, Gov. Jim Justice said he might mandate the use of masks if COVID-19 trends worsen in the state.
Wisconsin
While Wisconsin does not have a law requiring students to wear masks, the state’s largest counties – Madison and Milwaukee – have mandated the use of masks.
Wyoming
Whether pupils wear masks is a matter for a separate school district in Wyoming.