Mask Requirement Extended By Cleveland Schools

CLEVELAND — As the COVID-19 pandemic continues its resurgence in Ohio, and schools navigate the crisis, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District has decided to extend its universal mask mandate for students, staff and visitors.

The mask requirement applies to all students, staff and visitors regardless of their vaccination status.

In a message to the community, Superintendent Eric Gordon proudly noted the district has students in-class five days a week, a trend he wants to continue. Enrollment is also up and the district is exploring new ways to improve their educational offerings.

"But while we celebrate these positive and hopeful developments, the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic still looms large. In fact, new cases are showing signs of another surge, prompting health authorities to warn against letting down our guard," Gordon said in a message to the community.

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The district's universal mask mandate will continue through at least October, Gordon announced. Students who struggled with isolation during the 2020 academic year are back in classrooms, Gordon said, and "we're going to do everything our power to keep them there."

The mask mandate has kept COVID-19 from spreading through schools, Gordon said. While the virus continues to worm its way through the community, it has not done so via classrooms.

The district's other COVID-19 prevention policies include frequent sanitation, social distancing, temperature checks, a stringent reporting system, and free COVID-19 vaccination clinics for the community.

Gordon's message to the community is below.