“We strongly recommend local health departments and schools use a layered prevention approach, including encouraging vaccination and mask wearing, among other strategies,” said Dr. Michelle Hofmann, deputy director of the UDOH. “Doing so can help minimize the disruptions of COVID-19 on schools while maximizing opportunities for children to participate in in-person learning and extracurricular activities.”
New COVID-19 recommendations for Utah schools won’t force masks
There is a new law in Utah that forbids school districts from mandating masks. The so-called “pandemic endgame” legislation approved by Utah lawmakers this spring and signed by Gov. Spencer Cox prevents school districts from unilaterally mandating masks in schools. However, parents can still choose masks for their children.
In a tweet, Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives Brad Wilson addressed the issue of masks in school, indicating that state officials will be able to “adapt to changing circumstances.”
According to Utah Department of Health Data, just about a third of children ages 12 to 18 are currently vaccinated against COVID-19 in the state. Younger children, under age 12, still cannot receive the vaccine. Additionally, doctors raised concerns within the last week about the spread of the delta variant of COVID-19 in schools.