U.S. health officials say vaccinated teachers and students don’t need to wear masks inside school buildings.
While reiterating that schools will fully re-open in the fall, the California Department of Health stated that masks will be required indoors in school settings.
The CDC based its recommendations on the heels of a national campaign to get kids 12-and-over vaccinated. Additionally, the U.S. has seen a general decline in COVID hospitalizations and deaths over the past few months.
The release from the California Health & Human Services Agency (CPDH) pointed to the CDC’s guidance that masks continue to be worn if social distancing of at least 3 feet cannot be achieved in schools that fully re-open.
In a statement, CPDH Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said California cannot accommodate the social distancing recommendations.
“We will align with the CDC by implementing multiple layers of mitigation strategies, including continued masking and robust testing capacity,” Ghaly said. “Masking is a simple and effective intervention that does not interfere with offering full in-person instruction.”
The release from CPDH stated it will release full state guidelines for K-12 schools on Monday.