Student-Athletes Need Vaccines Or Tests In Prince George's County

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Prince George's County Public Schools announced Friday that student-athletes 12 and older must get the coronavirus vaccine or undergo regular testing. Schools will also start randomly testing some students in the coming weeks.

"We continue to use every available safeguard for the PGCPS community while navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic," school system CEO Monica Goldson said in an email. "This is another step forward in working to protect our 22,000 employees, nearly 132,000 students and their families, and all they encounter."

Goldson noted that her decision followed recent exposures and infections on various sports teams.

The deadlines to prove full vaccination are:

• Oct. 15 for fall sports
• Nov. 12 for winter sports
• Jan. 14 for spring sports

Immunizations are available from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at several middle schools. More details are posted here.

Testing for unvaccinated fall student-athletes will start in the week of Oct. 18.

PGCPS currently tests any student or employee who shows symptoms. Schools will begin their random tests during the week of Sept. 27.

Families must consent to these tests, however. About 10 percent of students with signed permission slips are eligible, regardless of their symptoms or inoculation status.

"Expanding our testing capacity to cover asymptomatic students will further protect the PGCPS community at large," Goldson commented.

PGCPS previously required workers to get the immunization or submit to weekly testing. Masks are still required in schools.

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RELATED:

• Vaccine Or Weekly Tests Required For County Employees
• Third Dose Of COVID-19 Vaccines Available For Immunocompromised
• Shots Or Tests Required For All Prince George's Schools Staff
• Masks Required Again In Prince George's; Delta Variant Spreads
• Masks Required For Prince George's Co. Public Schools This Fall

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