LOS ANGELES (KNX) — California's updated health guidelines for schools go into effect Saturday, effectively removing the indoor mask requirement at schools across the state, However, in Los Angeles County, it will ultimately be up to each individual district to decide whether or not to continue the indoor mandate.
Despite the guideline change, state and county officials Friday "strongly recommended" that students, teachers and staff continue to mask up until transmission is lower and that masking still be taught to students.
"At campuses where masking becomes optional, Public Health encourages that information about the importance of masking is shared with all members of the school community," the Los Angeles Department of Public Health said in a statement.
"And that schools support all teachers, staff, and students who want to keep wearing a mask."
Health officials said L.A. County will also align with the state Saturday in revising isolation and quarantine requirements for K-12 schools.
The changes mean that schools must continue to require students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 to isolate, and not allow them back on campus until after five days of isolation and proof of a negative COVID test after day five.
"Masking and testing for asymptomatic students remaining at schools during their quarantine period are strongly recommended," the department said.
Barbara Ferrer, the director of public health, said that despite the updated guidelines and consistently lower numbers of cases, hospitalizations and deaths - community transmission is still high, and she hopes Angelenos will be cautious.
"Public Health cautions that community transmission is substantial and poses a risk for many individuals, including numerous people working at or attending schools," she said, urging those who remove their masks going forward to at least get fully vaccinated.
As of March 6, 35% of children between the ages of five and 11 years old and 85% of children between the ages of 12 and 17-year-olds have received one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, health officials said.
Since that same date, 29% of children between the ages of five and 11 years old and 77% of children between the ages of 12 and 17 years old have been fully vaccinated.
"Having children and staff fully vaccinated creates a powerful layer of protection and continuing masking while transmission is substantial adds another level of safety for both children and staff in schools," Ferrer said.
"When combined with additional safety precautions, including infection control and testing, schools can continue to offer safe environments for children, staff, and their families."
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