COLUMBUS – Ohio’s largest school district is dropping its mask mandate.
Columbus City Schools announced Thursday that it is making wearing face masks optional inside schools and on school buses on Tuesday.
NEWS: beginning Tuesday, March 8, the District will lift its mask mandate, making wearing face masks optional inside CCS facilities and on school buses. #OurCCS
READ: https://t.co/ABwz3cHaU4 pic.twitter.com/wIAc8MPNCq
— Columbus City Schools (@ColsCitySchools) March 3, 2022
“This decision is in line with local public health decisions and updated recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as cases of COVID-19 continue to drop significantly across our country, and the most recent surge caused by the Omicron variant is declining at a rapid pace.” – post on CCS website
As the most recent surge of cases caused by the omicron variant of the coronavirus declines, the CDC recommended dropping mask requirements for schools in communities with low to medium risk of COVID-19 spread.
Franklin County is currently at the medium level and local health officials have dropped their mask requirements. Several other local school districts have also lifted their mask mandates.
Columbus City Council is expected to end the city’s mask mandate Monday and Mayor Andrew Ginther is expected to rescind his executive order requiring masks.
The school district will continue to follow mitigation measures and precautions and monitor COVID-19 data, superintendent/CEO Dr. Talisa Dixon said.
Identification, testing, and isolation will continue.
Students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 will have to isolate for five days, can return on day six if their symptoms improve but must wear masks for an additional five days.
Classroom and building notifications of positive cases will continue, district officials said.