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To: Superintendents, Principals, Private School Leaders, Charter School Leaders, School Nurses, Reopening Advisors, Special Education Directors, Public Information Officers
From: Kati Moseley, Ready Schools, Safe Learners Resiliency Manager
Date: March 29, 2022
RE: Further clarification on health care settings in schools
Dear School and District Leaders,
Thank you for your consistent resolve in providing safe learning environments for students across Oregon.
We are writing today to share OHA’s updated Health Care Setting Masking Requirements FAQ. The new FAQ addresses questions specific to schools and adds clarity to OAR 333-019-1011 Masking Requirements to Control COVID-19 in Health Care Settings.
The message from March 14, Updates to masking in health care settings in schools, describes the rule along with areas within a school that may meet the definition of a health care setting. The updated FAQs offer clarification on:
- What is defined as a health care setting
- When a face covering must be worn within a health care setting
- Recommendations on settings for aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs)
OAR 333-019-1011 speaks specifically about health care settings. In schools, these areas include school health rooms, isolation spaces, counseling offices where mental health counseling services are delivered, school-based health centers, and other areas where healthcare is the predominant use of the space. In areas that do not meet the definition of a health care setting, masks are not required under current rules. Areas that generally do not meet the definition of a health care setting include classrooms, school buses, and playgrounds.
The Ready Schools, Safe Learners Resiliency Framework has been updated to reflect these changes.
We encourage all school administrators to collaborate with school health staff or your Education Service District to identify which areas meet the definition of a health care setting and to clearly communicate to staff, students, and families the expectations for mask wearing in these areas. Resources such as signs, fact sheets, and social cards regarding masking are available on the OHA website.
Please contact ODECOVID19@ode.oregon.gov with any questions.
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