Public Health Order Requiring Universal Masking in K-12 Indoor Settings, August 12, 2021
A Public Health Emergency Order was issued by Dr. Oliver, Virginia Health Commissioner. The health order requires universal masking, regardless of vaccination status, in all K-12 indoor settings. As such, effective Friday, August 13, 2021, all students, staff, and visitors must wear a mask when indoors in any King George County School building. This applies to all classrooms, common spaces, and hallways. This also applies to preschool classes as the order directs all individuals aged two and older to wear a mask when indoors in the K-12 school setting. The order does not apply to outdoor settings and masks will not be required when outdoors. The CDC federal order requiring mask use on all public transportation, including school buses, remains in effect.
With the release of the Public Health Order, the locally-created and previously shared mask waiver for students and staff is no longer applicable. If a student has a medical exemption to not use a mask, please have your child’s physician provide documentation of the medical need including the adaptation or alternative to the mask. Medical exemption documentation should be turned into the school nurse or front office staff. Masks must be worn until the mask exemption is received and recorded in the nurse’s office. If you have questions, please contact your child’s school nurse.
The press release from Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announcing the requirement of universal masking in K-12 schools is linked below.
https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/all-releases/2021/august/headline-902544-en.html