Students Should Wear Face Masks Throughout 2021

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a new Operational Strategy for K-12 Schools late on May 15, 2021.

The CDC recommends schools continue to use the current COVID-19 prevention strategies for the 2020-2021 school year, including universal and correct use of masks and physical distancing should be maximized to the greatest extent possible.

Masks should be worn at all times, by all people in school facilities, with certain exceptions for certain people, or for certain settings or activities, such as while eating or drinking. Masks should be required in all classroom and non-classroom settings, including hallways, school offices, restrooms, gyms, auditoriums, etc.

And, testing to identify individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection provides additional layers of COVID-19 protection in schools, stated the CDC.

'All prevention strategies provide some level of protection, and layered strategies implemented at the same time provide the greatest level of protection.'