Central Bucks Schools Prepare For 'Return To Normal'

DOYLESTOWN, PA — School administrators at Central Bucks will review the district's health and safety plans following new guidance announced by Gov. Tom Wolf to lift COVID-19 mitigation orders, except a mask mandate, on Memorial Day.

The announcement marks a "positive shift" in the district's fight against COVID-19, Acting Superintendent Abraham Lucabaugh said.

"This shift in guidance serves as another indication that our collective efforts and sacrifices are working to usher in a return to “normal” for our district," Lucabaugh wrote in a letter to Central Bucks families.

Under the governor's recommendations, districts will no longer be required to sign a state attestation form to continue in-person instruction, even if their county is exhibiting "substantial" transmission of COVID-19 for two or more consecutive weeks. Superintendents were previously asked to sign the letter last year if they wanted to offer in-person instruction.

Restrictions on events and gatherings will also be lifted, meaning restaurants, bars and entertainment venues can open to 100 percent capacity.

Wolf said the mask mandate won't be lifted until 70 percent of Pennsylvanians are vaccinated. As of Thursday, Pennsylvania has administered first doses of the vaccine to 51 percent of its population, according to the CDC.

New COVID-19 infections have been treading downward in the past two weeks, which public health officials attribute to increasing vaccinations. There are currently 2,131 people hospitalized with COVID-19 statewide, and of that number, most patients hospitalized are 65 and older, state health officials said.

Cases are dropping rapidly in Bucks County, decreasing by 42 percent over the past month, according to the county health department.

"The difference between now and every other time we had a sizeable reduction in cases is that people are being vaccinated every day, reducing the pool of people where the virus can spread," Damsker said. "Very soon we are going to put this in our rearview mirror."

The Central Bucks School Board will review its health and safety protocols when it meets Tuesday, May 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Educational Services Center, 16 Welden Drive, in Doylestown. Audio of the meetings is streamed online.

Be the first to know what's happening in your town and area. Sign up to get Patch emails and don't miss a minute of local and state news: https://patch.com/subscribe