Middle, High Schoolers In Douglas County Schools Are No Longer Required To Wear Masks

DOUGLAS COUNTY, GA — The Douglas County School System relaxed its mask mandate for its middle schools, high schools and administrative offices starting this week, citing a drop in COVID-19 cases and spread in the community, Superintendent Trent North said in a letter to parents Friday.

Starting Monday, middle- and high-school students, as well as staff and visitors, were no longer required to wear face masks — but still "strongly recommended — in school buildings; however, masks are still required for elementary school students, staff and visitors.

Masks are also still required on school buses, per federal regulations.

"COVID[-19] numbers in our community have dropped substantially over the past few weeks, and the number of cases in our schools has decreased significantly," North said. "We are now experiencing a moderate spread of COVID[-19] in Douglas County (51-99 cases of COVID[-19] per 100,000 people over the last two weeks), the point at which Cobb & Douglas Public Health supports making masks strongly recommended, not mandated, in schools."

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DCSS officials implemented a districtwide mask mandate Aug. 2, two days before students came back to school for the 2021-22 year.

North said school leaders will continue to monitor COVID-19 data in schools and the community, and will readjust safety protocols as needed.

"I realize that we have many students and staff in our middle and high schools who will still feel more comfortable wearing a mask, and we encourage them to do so," North said. "With the easing of the mask mandate in our middle and high schools, I look forward to a semblance of normalcy in light of the COVID[-19] outbreak. I am grateful for the leadership our Board of Education has provided during these unprecedented times, and, as always, I appreciate the support of our parents and community."