Masks Required Indoors In Denver Schools, Childcare Centers

DENVER, CO — A new mask mandate was issued Tuesday in Denver that requires everyone ages 2 and older to wear face coverings inside schools and childcare facilities. The new order takes effect Wednesday.

The face covering requirement applies to students, teachers, staff, and visitors at all public and private schools (preschool through Grade 12) and childcare facilities, regardless of vaccination status, officials said.

Denver issued an order earlier in August that requires employees and volunteers in high risk settings — including schools — to be fully vaccinated by Sept. 30.

“While it’s imperative that all eligible people continue to get vaccinated, masks add another layer of protection for children, especially those too young to be vaccinated,” said Bob McDonald, executive director of the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment.

“Requiring face coverings in schools and childcare facilities will protect against the spread of the highly contagious delta variant and will help maintain in person learning this school year.”

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The following exceptions for mask requirements are in place for certain circumstances:

• People who are deaf, hard of hearing, or otherwise living with a disability where fully observing facial expressions is essential to communication.
• Those who need to temporarily remove a face covering for identification purposes.
• People who are actively engaged in a public safety role, such as law enforcement, firefighters or emergency medical personnel.

The new public health order will remain in effect "indefinitely with updates made as needed based on case rates and vaccination rates in Denver," officials said in a news release.