Mask Mandate Kept At Fredericksburg Schools Despite Governor's Executive Order

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Fredericksburg City Public Schools announced their intention to keep their mask mandate, despite an executive order from Virginia's new governor 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 The order is effective Monday, Jan. 24 unless rescinded or amended by another order.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.

In a news release posted to their website, Fredericksburg City Public Schools cited Virginia law as their reason for keeping a mask mandate. SB1303 notes that school systems must "provide such in-person instruction in a manner in which it adheres, to the maximum extent practicable, to any currently applicable mitigation strategies for early childhood care and education programs and elementary and secondary schools to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 that have been provided by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”

The Centers for Disease Control and the Virginia Department of Health still recommend the use of masks in schools to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

"FCPS will follow Virginia law and continue to use layered mitigation strategies," Fredericksburg City Public Schools said. "Universal mask use has been proven effective in keeping COVID-19 transmission rates low in our schools and ensuring schools remain safe and open."