Mask Requirement Changes

The Oregon Health Authority announced future changes to statewide indoor face-covering rules, including those for schools. No later than March 31, 2022, OHA will lift the general statewide indoor mask requirement. Should the Covid levels drop more quickly than March 31, state health officials may consider dropping it sooner. This is for the general statewide indoor mask requirement.

FOR SCHOOLS: OHA will remove the mask requirement for schools on March 31, which is after spring break for most schools. This means that the requirement for requiring universal masking will rest with the local school district, charter school, and local public health authorities. For schools, this change will occur on March 31st and no sooner which gives schools time to decide and prepare. It also allows time for conversations with the local public health authorities. It also gives people time to get vaccinated and boosted and get their children vaccinated and boosted.

Be aware that school districts MAY continue to require students, staff, volunteers, and visitors to wear a face-covering during indoor activities. Moving to remove the mask requirement also removes the Test To Stay option for schools and goes back to the huge contact tracing and notification requirements. The local public health authority MAY require that schools continue universal masking if the conditions in the county require it in order to reduce the spread of Covid 19 and minimize the impact of quarantining throughout the school year.

The Local Public Health Authority has authority over LCSD. Federal law requires face coverings on transportation so masks will still be required on school buses. The Center for Disease Control recommends that universal masking remains required throughout the rest of the 2021-22 school year. Until March 31, 2022, face coverings are required by all schools in Oregon. According to Lincoln County Schools Superintendent Karen Gray nothing has been decided yet in Lincoln County School District.