Salt Lake City School District requiring masks through the end of the school year
May 18, 2021, 8:34 PM | Updated: May 19, 2021, 9:19 am
SALT LAKE CITY- The Salt Lake City School District (SLCSD) announced Wednesday they will be requiring masks through the end of the 2020-2021 school year. However, many other schools in the state are not required to wear masks.
The last day of school is June 7, 2021 and masks are required on the campuses as mandated by the SLCSD.
Masks will be required in Salt Lake City School District schools through the end of the 2020-21 school year. The last day of school is Monday, June 7. #utpol #uted pic.twitter.com/lTnJbEexS5
— SLC School District (@slcschools) May 19, 2021
Salt Lake City School District Interim Superintendent Larry Madden said:
“We’ve come too far to let go of proven safety practices like mask-wearing with just a few days left in the school year,” said Superintendent Madden. “While we’ve been able to offer vaccinations to our educators, staff, and some of our students, very few of our students have been vaccinated thus far. The risk is too great, especially when we consider those in our school communities with pre-existing health conditions or who have family members at home who are high risk for contracting COVID-19. The last thing we want to do is increase the risk in our city just as school is about to let out for the summer.”
Madden continued to explain this decision comes after the CDC clarified what they mean by “mask requirements for K-12 schools.” He said:
“The Salt Lake City School District has made decisions all year based on science and sound guidance from public health experts. This weekend, the CDC issued clarification to explain that in spite of the general recommendation that fully vaccinated individuals may safely forego wearing masks in many settings, K-12 schools should continue to require masks in schools and to continue practicing COVID-19 safety protocols through the end of the 2020-21 school year. Our district will leave current mask requirements in place through the end of the school year, per the recommendation of the CDC and local health experts.”
Madden concluded the announcement by expressing how grateful he was for the CDC recommendations and safety of their students:
“We are grateful for the diligence with which students, families, and staff have adhered to COVID safety protocols this school year and ask for your continued support during the last week of school to continue keeping our school communities safe. Since our last week of school begins on Monday, June 7, and the last day of school is Monday, June 7, our ask is to stick with us and wear your masks for one more day. We encourage all who are eligible to pursue opportunities to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. Visit the state Coronavirus website to find a vaccination location near you.”
This story is breaking and will be updated.
