Mask Mandate Lifted In Douglas County School System

DOUGLAS COUNTY, GA — After a two-week mask mandate districtwide, the Douglas County School System has lifted its mask requirement, with exceptions for certain circumstances.

The district returned to in-person learning Jan. 5, and masks were optional but not required, except in schools with a positive COVID-19 case rate of 5 percent or greater. Five days later, masks were required for all students and staff for a two-week period, both in school facilities and on school buses.

That two-week period ended Monday. Now, DCSS switched back to the earlier policy of only requiring masks in schools with a positive COVID-19 case rate of 5 percent or greater. Otherwise, masks are optional.

According to the district's latest COVID-19 report, published Thursday, no single school has a case rate of 5 percent or greater. The highest percentages in each school category is as follows:

• Elementary schools: Beulah Elementary School at 2.3 percent (11 cases)
• Middle schools: Turner Middle School at 1.7 percent (15 cases)
• High schools: Douglas County High School at 1.5 percent (31 cases)

When a school site reaches high spread, parents will be notified prior to the next school day that face coverings will be required, which will be in place for a minimum of 14 days. If the school's positive case rate doesn't fall below 5 percent, the required face-covering period may be extended.

Schools with positive COVID-19 cases at a rate of 2 to 4.9 percent, or moderate spread, will continue with recommended face coverings, but not required. Masks are still required on all buses per federal regulations.

Related:

• Douglas Schools To Return In Person, With Masks For Some
• Temporary Mask Mandate Issued In Douglas County Schools