Metric For Making Masks Optional Announced At Fairfax Schools

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Amid mask opt-out legislation advancing in the Virginia General Assembly, Fairfax County Public Schools has announced metrics for easing the mask mandate.

On Thursday, FCPS announced a roll-back plan based on community COVID-19 transmission data and health expert recommendations. Once Fairfax County reaches moderate transmission, FCPS will make masks optional. The mask mandate remains in place during high and substantial transmission levels.

"Because our plan is based on scientific data, we believe this plan gives us a roadmap to move forward safely," the school district shared in a message to families. "We must continue to respect and serve all our students, including our most vulnerable."

Fairfax County and the rest of the state currently have high levels of transmission, according to Virginia Department of Health data. The four levels of transmission are low, moderate, substantial and high.

When masking becomes optional during moderate or low transmission levels, FCPS may ask students and staff to wear masks in situations like a COVID-19 outbreak. FCPS employees who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated must wear a mask indoors regardless of transmission, per Department of Labor and Industry guidelines.

FCPS plans to continue offering screening testing during moderate, substantial and high community transmission levels but not during low transmission. When transmission reaches a moderate level, screening testing will move to a "dynamic plan."

No changes are planned for contact tracing, isolation and quarantine when school-based COVID-19 cases are identified.

The changes come as legislation on opt-out for masking in schools is likely to be passed. On Wednesday, the Democrat-controlled Senate gave final approval to SB 739, which requires in-person instruction aside from 10 unscheduled virtual learning days. An amendment introduced by Sen. Chap Petersen (D-Fairfax) added the mask opt-out. That amendment was accepted by a vote of 29-9, although the final vote on the bill was 21-17 vote. The bill advances to the Republican-controlled House of Delegates, which is expected to pass it. Gov. Glenn Youngkin supports the legislation, although he could seek an emergency clause to make it effective right away, according to the Washington Post. If the emergency clause is sought, the General Assembly would have to approve it.

Board of Supervisor Chairman Jeff McKay said in a letter to Fairfax County residents that he was "deeply disappointed in the action" by the Virginia Senate. The chairman believes the legislation overturns local authority to implement a mask mandate in schools. McKay believes the FCPS mitigation strategies have kept school transmission of COVID-19 low and prevented any schools from closing.

FCPS and six other school districts have been pursuing a lawsuit in response to Youngkin's mask-optional executive order for schools. Arlington judge Louise DiMatteo issued a temporary injunction on the executive order, allowing the school districts to continue their mask mandates. There has not yet been a final ruling in the case.