Mask Mandate Stays At Alexandria Schools Despite Youngkin Order

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Alexandria City Public Schools reaffirmed its mask mandate after Virginia's new governor issued an executive order calling for masks to be the choice of a student's parent.

The mask executive order was one of 11 Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed on his first day in office Saturday. The order states parents have the choice on whether their child should wear a mask for the duration of the school day. The order is effective Monday, Jan. 24 unless rescinded or amended by another order.

Ahead of the 2021-2022 school year, former Gov. Ralph Northam issued a public health order with Virginia Health Commissioner Norman Oliver requiring universal masking in K-12 schools. This aligned with a law passed by the General Assembly that requires school districts to offer in-person learning and "to the maximum extent practicable" follow COVID-19 mitigation strategies from the CDC. The bill expires Aug. 1, 2022.

The current CDC guidance for COVID-19 prevention in K-12 schools calls for universal indoor masking for anyone 2 and older regardless of vaccination status.

ACPS and other Northern Virginia school districts announced the intent to continue requiring masks. A letter to families from Superintendent Gregory Hutchings Jr. said ACPS would continue to follow guidelines from the CDC and Alexandria Health Department on masking and other mitigation strategies. At ACPS, all individuals are required to wear masks that cover the nose and mouth in schools, facilities and buses.

"Masks, combined with multiple other ACPS mitigation measures, have been effective in helping to protect the collective health and safety of our students and staff and keep our schools open for in-person learning," Hutchings wrote. "This continues to be our commitment as we grapple with the challenges that this pandemic has posed on our schools."

ACPS is getting shipments of KN95 masks for students and staff with expected deliveries by Wednesday, Jan. 19. Additional surgical masks have been delivered to schools to provide an option for double masking.