Update: On April 20, 2021, Gov. Doug Ducey rescinded the order requiring K-12 to mandate masks. For more information, read here.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey may have ended the state mandate on wearing masks, but the face coverings will stay up in schools, according to Arizona educators.
Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, announced that in Fall 2021, school districts and charter schools are required to mandate that masks are worn on campus, on school buses, and during school-associated activities by all faculty, staff, students, contractors and visitors.
Ducey issued a declaration of emergency on March 11, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and on July 3, 2020, Ducey issued an executive order, which stated, “all school districts and charter schools shall develop and implement a policy to require face coverings.”
Despite Ducey recently lifting the mask mandate, Christ has mandated that Phoenix schools will continue to require masks throughout the fall.
“To attempt to both prevent and control the continued spread of COVID-19, which still poses a serious threat to public health and welfare, it is necessary to prescribe emergency measures to mandate face coverings at all schools and charter schools in the state,” Christ said.
Although face coverings will continue to be mandated, there will be exceptions pertaining to the requirement of masks in schools.
When students are outside or can socially distance, masks will not be required and students who are engaged in high-intensity activities, such as athletic activities, will be exempt from wearing masks.
Phoenix Elementary School District announced that school will resume in-person as of fall 2021, and also maintain an online learning option.
“As we prepare to welcome students back to campuses for in-person learning…parents were asked to complete a Learning Options form and indicate if your child would be returning to school for in-person learning, or remaining at home for online learning,” according to the PESD’s website.
Phoenix Union High School District announced they will also return to in-person instruction and released a statement saying, “As we transition back to in-person learning, please be reminded that everyone will be required to follow our safety protocols at all times when on our campuses. This includes wearing a mask, social distancing, and following all entry and exit protocols established by each school.”
Although over half of AZ schools have elected to return to in-person teaching, some school districts will continue to offer an online option. Agua Fria Union High School District, Alhambra Elementary School District and Buckeye Union High School District are some of the school districts that will continue online schooling during the fall school session.
“Arizona’s students need to be back in the classroom. More than half of Arizona’s schools are open and offering in-person options. More schools need to follow their lead, and pave the way for equitable education options for every Arizona student,” Ducey said.
Contact the reporter at amlay3@asu.edu.
