In the face of rising case numbers and the highly contagious delta variant, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is once again recommend that fully vaccinated Americans wear masks indoors in some cases, a federal official told The Associated Press.
Everyone in K-12 schools — vaccinated or not — is also advised to mask up.
Spectrum Bay News 9 is reaching out to the local school districts for their current face covering guidelines, and this story will be updated as any changes are made.
After a Florida judge ruled on August 27 that the state could not stop school districts in Florida from issuing mask mandates, Bay area school districts sent out their statements on the matter.
Citrus
Masks remain optional for the 2021/22 school year. Face coverings are available to students, who are also urged to use hand santizier located throughout the schools and on all buses.
Hernando
Masks are "strongly recommended" but optional for students and staff. Face coverings are available to students and santizing protocols remain in place.
Hillsborough
After consulting with public health partners at Florida Department of Health-Hillsborough, Tampa General Hospital, and USF Health, and after thoughtful discussion, the Hillsborough County School Board voted to make face coverings mandatory for all students and staff with a medical exemption opt-out, effective for 30 days, beginning Thursday, August 19, and running through Friday, September 17.
Statement from the school district regarding a judge's ruling in the lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis:
"Although Hillsborough County Public Schools was not a party to the recent lawsuit brought by a group of parents from across the state against the Governor and Department of Education, we were monitoring the case closely. Today, the judge ruled in favor of the parents and found local school boards have the right to adopt reasonable policies regarding mandatory face coverings. The actions of this School Board when they adopted mandatory face coverings in schools is consistent with the judge's ruling. We will continue to make the health and safety of students and staff top priority."
Manatee
Masks remain optional in Manatee County schools. The school board has met more than once to discuss the issue but has adjourned without voting on whether to issue a mask mandate.
Statement from the school district regarding a judge's ruling in the lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis:
"We are aware of the ruling and we are reviewing it. I have been informed that the ruling isn’t final yet, in the sense that it still has to be written, so we have no statement at this time. At Tuesday’s meeting, the School Board of Manatee County extended a Mask Mandate with an opt-out provision through Friday, October 29th. That is the policy in place at present."
Pasco
Masks will remain optional for students, teachers and administrative staff during the upcoming school year.
Statement from the school district regarding a judge's ruling in the lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis:
"We are aware that Leon County Circuit Judge John C. Cooper has determined that Governor DeSantis’ order banning mask mandates is unconstitutional. At this time the ruling has no impact on Pasco County Schools’ mask-optional policy. The Governor’s order remains in effect until the final order is submitted. At that time, the Governor is expected to appeal the decision. To summarize: Today’s ruling has no immediate impact on Pasco County Schools. Masks remain optional for students and staff."
Pinellas
Masks will remain optional for the upcoming year. The district released the following statement:
Pinellas County Schools continues to work closely with its group of medical experts and DOH-Pinellas reviewing safety protocols. At this time, masks/face coverings are optional for students, staff and visitors but strongly encouraged and recommended indoors. Any change to the face covering policy would require School Board action. The same layered mitigation strategies/safety protocols used during the 2020-2021 school year will remain such as enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols in classrooms and common areas, social distancing to the greatest extent possible, hand sanitizers in classrooms, and upgraded ventilation/air filtration systems established last fall. We also encourage (not mandate) everyone eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
On August 24, the school board held a meeting and voted 4-3 to not hold a special meeting about a proposed 90-day mask mandate with a medical opt-out option.
Statement from the school district regarding a judge's ruling in the lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis:
"The district understands that Judge John Cooper generally ruled in favor of the plaintiffs earlier today in the court case in Tallahassee. However, Judge Cooper also stated that the ruling will not be final until it has been entered as a written order, which is expected to take place next week. The school district will review the order once it is issued."
Polk
The district says students and teachers will have the option to wear masks or not, pointing to the governor's executive order banning mask mandates in schools.
Statement from the school district regarding a judge's ruling in the lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis:
“A mask-optional policy remains in effect for Polk County Public Schools. At this time, the Polk County School Board has not indicated there would be any change to our policy.”