PITTSBURGH — On Wednesday night, the Pittsburgh Public Schools Board approved changes to the region’s state-mandated health and safety plan, making mask wearing in schools optional.
The district initially planned to follow current guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which state that masks are no longer recommended for schools in communities with low-to-moderate risk of COVID-19 transmission.During the meeting, however, a board member proposed an amendment that the masking would resume when COVID levels rose to a moderate risk of transmission.The amendment was passed.
Initially, the proposal began to change on Thursday, but one board member feared it would not give families enough time, especially those with students with disabilities, to arrange accommodation.
According to the district, the planned changes also include an update to the district’s decision tree, which will reduce the number of days in isolation from 10 days to at least a full five days until symptoms improve and there is no fever for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.
Students and staff who have exited quarantine may return to school on days 6 through 10, strictly using fitted masks.If possible, it is best for individuals to have a rapid antigen test when they return on day 6, especially if they cannot wear a fitted mask.
The district announced to employees and families that changes to the health and safety plan and COVID-19 decision tree will be announced this week.
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Post time: Apr-29-2022
