Masks Required For Atlanta Public Schools Staff And Students

ATLANTA — Students and staff returning to Atlanta Public Schools on Aug. 5 will have to mask up.

The school district made the announcement Thursday morning on its website as APS Superintendent Lisa Herring posted the news on social media.

“Healthy and safe learning environments for our students is a top priority,” Herring tweeted.

Citing statistics showing that only about 18 percent of eligible students were vaccinated, and pointing out that no vaccine was currently available for most elementary school-aged children, APS leaders decided to take precautionary measures to keep students and staff safe.

In particular, with the rise of the more contagious delta variant of COVID-19 prompting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation that unvaccinated people wear masks, school leaders made this decision.

“APS remains committed to ensuring healthy and safe learning environments for the 2021-2022 school year,” a school statement said.

Masks must be worn at all times inside school buildings and APS facilities, with clear masks being provided to special needs students. Masks also must be worn on buses and on some occasions related to athletics.

The school system won’t require mask-wearing during outdoor activities like recess, athletics, or band practice, or while eating in school cafeterias, however physical distancing will be called for, Herring noted in her social media posts.

APS will continue to offer COVID-19 surveillance testing weekly during the school year and is offering vaccines to families and staff at Back to School Bash on July 331, and at middle schools and high schools beginning Aug. 9.