Schools altering COVID-19 mask rules

Five weeks after the Franklin County School District was forced to enact universal daily face mask usage following a spike in local coronavirus cases, the protection policy is being altered starting next week.

Franklin County Superintendent of Education Chris Kent confirmed that — effective Monday, Feb. 28 — mask use within the district will be considered optional in all buildings and on school grounds.

“However, masks will still be required for students riding school buses to and from classes each day along with all sports and field trips,” he continued.

Other FCSD coronavirus guidelines, originally announced last month for all campuses, that will remain in effect include:

• If a student or district employee tests positive for COVID-19, they have to quarantine for a minimum of five days.

If they have no symptoms after five days, they can return to campus, and must wear a mask.

If they continue to have symptoms, they will need to stay home until all symptoms are gone.

• If a student or district employee is exposed to COVID-19 — whether at school, at home or in the community — they can come to school or work as long as they have no symptoms and wear a mask.

If they begin to show symptoms, they will need to go home and be tested.