DeKalb County Schools To Require Masks For All Students, Staff

DECATUR, GA — With the start of the new school year just more than two weeks away, DeKalb County School District officials announced this week that masks will be required for all students and staff members.

Citing a recent increase in positive coronavirus cases, including the delta variant among residents who have not been vaccinated, officials said Monday the district has implemented mask requirements for students. In some cases, the district is implementing the required face-coverings out of an abundance of caution.

The mask requirements come at a time when DeKalb County health officials reported 155 new positive COVID-19 cases, which represented a 7.2 percent decrease in cases from the previous two-week reporting period. In total, the county has reported 59,419 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 990 deaths since the pandemic began in March 2020.

Since July 7, 95 cases have been reported in the county along with two deaths. Health officials reported as of Tuesday, 48.3 percent of DeKalb County residents have had at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccines while 42.9 percent are fully vaccinated.

The guidelines were put in place to ensure a safe return to in-person learning when the school year begins on Aug 2, officials said. They listed getting vaccinated as one of the guidelines set in place by the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention in order for schools to have safe environments in place for students and staff.

The district said all students will be required to wear face-coverings on school buses, which is consistent with guidance issued by the CDC in regard to the use of public transportation.

District officials announced elementary students will be required to wear masks in the classroom because there is no approved vaccines for children under the age of 12. Masks are also required for middle school and high school students as well as for staff members, officials said. Although the CDC has indicated masks are optional for those who have been vaccinated, the district said it will require face-coverings in all buildings “out of an abundance of caution.”

Officials said district school buildings will use “best practices” in areas like cafeterias and other spaces where it will be difficult for students to wear masks.

The district will review effective methods to identify students and staff who are vaccinated and will re-evaluate optional mask-wearing. There was, however, no timeline for this to happen. The district strongly encouraged parents to check with their healthcare provider for the best vaccine options.

The district also said masks will be required for school clubs meeting indoors as well as after school programs for activities held inside district buildings. In both cases, masks will be optional for activities and meetings held outdoors.

Masks will be optional for athletic events, but district officials said athletes will be required to wear masks in locker rooms and weight rooms. In addition, athletes will be required to follow the guidelines put into place by the Georgia High School Association for safety at sporting events.