Richmond, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - Just moments after Henrico Schools voted for a mask mandate to start the school year, the Northam Administration made the vote unnecessary. State Public Health Commisioner Dr. Norman Oliver issued a public health order mandating masks in all public and private schools.
The mandate will be in effect until CDC gudiance changes. The CDC currently is urging mask use in K-12 schools. The order points out that only 40% of 12-15 year olds, and 51% of 16-17 year olds, have been vaccinated against Covid in Virginia. The Delta variant is also having a greater impact than other strains on children.
The order means Hanover Schools, whose Board had voted to make masks optional, will start the year in masks. The Governor's office had said they were going to issue additional guidance, which ended up being this order, after the Hanover vote.