All Clarke County students will now have to wear masks once school starts. Effectively immediately, all staff students, and visitors on any Clarke County School District property are required to wear masks while indoors. The district announced changes to its COVID protocol Monday.
According to the update, factors for making the change include the increasing rates of covid-19 cases in Clarke County. Low vaccination rates among eligible children, with less than 1 in 5 inoculated against the virus; less than 39% of all Clarke residents fully vaccinated. In addition, a third staff member tested positive for COVID-19 in the past week.
The district also cites the latest CDC recommendations which state, fully vaccinated individuals and unvaccinated individuals who are wearing a mask are not required to quarantine if exposed to COVID.
The mask requirement remains in place regardless of vaccination status.
Nearly 12,500 students are heading back to class next week.
