State urges school mask rules for unvaccinated, but districts will decide

The state is recommending —  but not requiring — all Virginia schools to enforce mask mandates for unvaccinated students and staff in the fall.

The state’s public health order, which requires everyone five and older to wear face masks inside school buildings, expires on Sunday and will not be extended, according to state officials.

The Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Department of Health released new guidance on Wednesday for mask policies at PreK-12 schools for the upcoming school year.

The guidance “strongly recommends” that school districts enforce mask mandates for students and staff at elementary schools, regardless of vaccination status, until vaccination is available for children under 12 years old. The recommendation also asks that at a minimum, middle and high schools require unvaccinated students and staff to wear masks indoors.

But this new guidance released Wednesday has no legal binding, and the decision ultimately is up to each school board.

A Henrico County Public Schools spokesperson told the Citizen there is no set plan for the fall at this time regarding mask rules.

“We’re beginning to take a close look at the new guidance,” said HCPS spokesman Andy Jenks. “It’s important for us to be thoughtful and careful in our approach to school health this fall.”

Jenks said the district is continuing its dialogue with the state health department and community stakeholders as the school system finalizes its plans for in-person learning this September.

The guidance intentionally leaves the power in the hands of each school system, state officials said.

“This guidance takes into consideration recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics, and will provide necessary flexibility for school divisions while ensuring a safe, healthy, and world-class learning environment for Virginia’s students,” Gov. Ralph Northam said in a prepared statement.

“This guidance is aimed at protecting students, educators, and staff while also providing localities with flexibility,” said State Health Commissioner M. Norman Oliver in a prepared statement. “We continue to urge eligible Virginians to get vaccinated to protect themselves, their families and their communities.”

The state did not offer guidance about how schools should confirm vaccination status and suggested that school systems seek advice from their lawyers while deciding if and how to confirm student and staff COVID-19 vaccinations.

The new state guidance also said that schools may want to consider universal masking and that all schools should be prepared to adjust mask policies as local health conditions change throughout the school year.

The CDC federal order requiring masks be worn on public transportation applies to school buses and remains in effect.

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Anna Bryson is the Henrico Citizen's education reporter and a Report for America corps member. Make a tax-deductible donation to support her work, and RFA will match it dollar for dollar.