Resources Related to Face Covering Requirement in Schools
If there is one thing we can all agree on, it is that we would like to be done with COVID-19; unfortunately, as has become clear with the sharp uptick in hospitalizations and illness due to the Delta variant, COVID-19 is not yet done with Oregon. As an education community, we have come a long way since March of 2020. The last school year, there were over 100 state COVID-19 health and safety protocols required for schools to operate. Today, the vast majority of health and safety protocols in the Ready Schools, Safe Learners Resiliency Framework are advisory, and local schools and districts determine what is best for their community.
Oregon Health Authority Rule on Face Coverings in Public and Private Schools
Because Oregon is placing a priority on ensuring that every student in Oregon is able to attend school in-person for the entire school year, the Oregon Health Authority adopted a statewide rule requiring face coverings for all individuals two years and older in all indoor school settings (both public and private). This rule defines schools as a public, private, parochial, charter or alternative educational program offering kindergarten through grade 12 or any part thereof. This rule is in response to the sharp uptick in the spread of COVID-19 in Oregon, driven by the highly transmissible Delta variant of COVID-19 which is resulting in increased hospitalizations of largely unvaccinated Oregonians. Local leaders, such as all of you, are in a unique position to help deliver the message to members of your communities about effective safety measures like vaccination and face coverings. We hope that the resources contained in this email will help you clarify how face coverings protect not just health, but in-person instruction for every student in Oregon.
Enforcement of Face Covering Rule
We have received many questions about how the rule will be enforced, and this document outlines the process in detail. The goal is to have schools open to in-person instruction for every student, every school day. Universal and correct use of face coverings in compliance with this rule brings us closer to that goal, and benefits students and staff, families, and our communities.
We encourage schools and districts to use the resources below to support local training efforts and communications regarding the rule and enforcement:
Thank you for your continued partnership as we all work to provide the best learning experience and environment for students and staff across the state. As always, please send your questions to ODECOVID19@ode.state.or.us.
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