Garland ISD will not require masks, at least for now.
The school district is abiding by a decision Sunday from the Texas Supreme Court that temporarily halts Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins’ public health order requiring masks in public schools and businesses.
While Garland ISD is not mandating the use of face coverings, the district said on its website that it still “strongly encourages all staff and students to wear masks to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.”
The development comes during a nationwide surge in coronavirus infections that has hit Garland hard. In the last month, COVID-19 cases in Garland have increased by almost 1,000%, according to city data from July 14 and August 12.
Garland ISD is not the only district in Dallas County that changed its masking protocols after Sunday’s Texas Supreme Court ruling. Mesquite ISD and Irving ISD are also no longer requiring masks.
Dallas ISD announced Sunday evening that it would continue to require masks despite the state Supreme Court’s move against Jenkins’ order.
Although masks are not compulsory in Garland ISD facilities as of Aug. 16, the district is still maintaining these pandemic-related health protocols:
- Daily antimicrobial misting of buses and schools
- Contact tracing
- Free COVID-19 rapid testing
- Plexiglass in cafeterias and on elementary desks
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all students and staff wear masks in schools, regardless of vaccination status.
Read Full Story: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/2021/08/16/garland-isd-will-not-require-masks-after-texas-supreme-court-rules-on-jenkins-covid-19-order/
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