As COVID Cases Drop, School District Lifts Suspension Of Field Trips, Visitors, Volunteers

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — Sarasota County Schools has lifted its temporary suspension of field trips and non-essential visitors and volunteers on campuses, according to a news release from the school district.

This decision was made based on the latest COVID-19 community spread percentages. Using data from the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County, the new case positivity rate in the county was 4.82 percent Thursday and averaged 4.9 percent over the past seven days, according to the district’s website.

The temporary suspension was put in place Aug. 10, the first day of the 2021-22 school year, because of a surge in COVID-19 cases in the community at the time.

Related Story: Masks Optional In Sarasota Schools Following Low Positivity Rates

Starting Monday, schools will be able to schedule educationally relevant field trips and all visitors and volunteers are welcome back on campuses, the district said.

Visitors and volunteers should also check with individual schools for their specific guidelines and volunteers should ensure their information is updated with the district’s community relations team.

The district also made masks optional for students, teachers and staff earlier this week when the positivity rate fell below 8 percent for three consecutive days.

The temporary 90-day mask mandate approved by the Sarasota County School Board in August and remains in effect until Nov. 23. Masks will be reinstated if the positivity rate in the county rises above 10 percent.