Mask Mandate Updated By Fulton County Schools Before First Day

FULTON COUNTY, GA — Fulton County Schools has updated its mask policy for students and staff ahead of the first day of school on Monday.

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise again in Georgia and Fulton County, Fulton County Schools officials are closely monitoring data and consulting with public health officials to begin the new school year in person with face-to-face instruction.

As indicated earlier this week, the district will make decisions based on local data taken from the Fulton County Board of Health Epidemiology Reports, and has determined schools and facilities located in municipalities where the rate of infection exceeds 100 per 100,000 residents will require all students, personnel, and visitors to wear masks until the level of spread drops.

The Aug. 4 report indicates the COVID-19 incidence rates for 13 of the 14 cities in Fulton County exceeded the level that public health officials consider “high community spread.” Therefore, the district said that the schools and facilities in these jurisdictions will require masks effective Monday, Aug. 9. A complete list of affected schools can be found online and will be updated weekly.

Additionally, all district staff and students are required to report a confirmed positive case of COVID-19, a pending COVID-19 test result (regardless of the reason for testing), and direct contact with a person who is COVID-19 positive.

Following updated Georgia Department of Public Health guidelines for quarantine procedures, Fulton Schools will now allow all students, regardless of vaccination status, to continue reporting to school after a direct contact if the individual:

1. is/remains symptom free, and
2. wears a mask while on school district property for 10 days after exposure.

All students who report a pending test result may continue reporting to school if the individual:

1. is/remains symptom free, and
2. wears a mask while on school district property until the test results are received and reported.

Public health officials strongly encourage individuals directly exposed to COVID-19 to get tested after 3-5 days of the exposure.

Related: Fulton Schools Updates COVID-19 Protocols Before First Day