COVID-19 policies were at the center of a state Senate Education Committee hearing late last week.
Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam says the state is asking districts to follow CDC guidance to reopening schools this fall.
“We support a universal masking requirement in K-12 settings as a critical layer to facilitating safe, full-time, in-person learning. And we’re asking the school districts to actually implement these recommendations,” Beam said. “But at this time, there is not a plan to mandate a masking requirement in schools.”
Beam hopes that more people who are around the children will continue to get vaccinated.
“We know that this pandemic has presented many challenges to students, families, and school staff. It’s our hope to continue to work to support schools this school year, so Pennsylvania can assist this effort by getting vaccinated for our students and families members who cannot yet be vaccinated,” Beam said.
Currently, many local school districts will not be requiring masks this school year.
