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Face Coverings Now Optional in Schools, on School Buses

Posted February 25, 2022

Effective immediately, individuals may choose whether they wear a face covering in Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) buildings.

Actualización: Protocolos COVID-19

Mise à Jour des Protocoles COVID-19

In this update, you will find information about:

  • School mask mandate rescinded
  • UPDATED: Masks optional on school buses
  • Adjustments to contact tracing and quarantining
  • Track COVID-19 cases in WCPS

School Mask Mandate Rescinded

Today the Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review (AELR) Committee voted to approve the Maryland State Board of Education’s action to rescind the school mask mandate. Effective immediately, individuals may choose whether they wear a face covering in WCPS facilities. Under a separate federal transportation order, masks must continue to be worn on WCPS school buses.

WCPS asks that students, staff, and the community at large respect each individual’s decision when it comes to wearing a face covering. WCPS encourages families to have a discussion with their children about their preference to wear a mask in school now that it will be an option. Students or employees who choose to wear a mask will be supported in their decision. WCPS recognizes there are students and staff who want to wear masks or must take extra precautions to protect themselves and/or their family members with medical considerations through this pandemic. School staff and administrators will not tolerate any teasing, bullying, or harassment of individuals if they choose to wear a face covering or not.

UPDATED: Masks OPTIONAL on School Buses

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (CDC) is no longer requiring people to wear masks on buses operated by public school systems. Therefore, students and staff may choose to wear face coverings on WCPS school buses.

To review the updated CDC guidance about the transportation order, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/masks/mask-travel-guidance.html.

Adjustments to Contact Tracing and Quarantining

At this time, WCPS is also altering its contact tracing processes. Most recently, WCPS has not asked close contacts to quarantine if they were wearing a mask at the time of exposure. With masking being optional, it is no longer feasible for WCPS to complete an accurate contact tracing process.

WCPS will be supporting the quarantines identified by the Washington County Health Department, including household cases of COVID-19.

Students and staff who are sick should stay home. Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 should isolate and not attend school for a minimum of five (5) days from the test date or the onset of symptoms, whichever date is first. Individuals should stay home until symptoms improve, and they must be fever-free without the use of medication for 24 hours.

Track COVID-19 Cases in WCPS

The WCPS learning community is reminded that individuals can monitor reported positive cases in schools on the WCPS COVID-19 dashboard. This dashboard details cases based on school location and whether a staff member or student tested positive. Reported cases are logged on the following business day.

View the WCPS COVID-19 Dashboard