COVID Protocol Update 04-02-2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 2021
GUTHRIE PUBLIC SCHOOLS REVISES INSTRUCTIONAL SETTING REQUIREMENTS OF STUDENTS AND STAFF
Based on the recent data for COVID infection rates in Logan County provided by the Oklahoma State Department of Health and GPS COVID protocols, the district will remove the mandatory wearing of masks while inside buildings for students and staff. This change will become effective on Monday, April 5th. Wearing of a mask while indoors when social distancing isn’t possible remains a strong recommendation. All students and staff are still required to complete a daily screening prior to entering a building or boarding a school bus that includes a temperature check. Any visitors to district buildings will still be required to wear a mask.
A recent federal mandate will require masks to be worn while in a school bus. Also, there was a clarification that while on board a bus face shields are not an acceptable substitute for a mask.
Additional guidance from the Centers for Disease Control allow for staff or students who are symptom free and beyond a ten day period of receiving their full COVID vaccinations to be exempt from quarantine if they are exposed to a positive COVID case.
Quotes from Guthrie Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mike Simpson:
With a majority of our staff receiving the vaccination and the low infection numbers for Logan County, it is a sign that we hopefully have the worst of this pandemic behind us. I was most concerned about a post-spring break spike that did not occur. Many protocols will remain in place such as assigned seating and vigilant sanitization. The only substantial difference in our setting from when we began the school year will be on school buses due to the recent federal mandate. This change doesn’t remove personal responsibility and an uptick would bring back the mask mandate.
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