Two local school districts start to loosen face mask restrictions

Duval and St. Johns counties are changing up their policies on face coverings in schools.

St. Johns County Schools’ Superintendent Tim Forson wrote a letter stating that students will no longer be required to wear masks in school or on buses starting with summer programs on Monday, June 14.

Desk shields will not be mandatory, along with daily temperature checks before entering campus. He also said, athletic events, plays, and dances will resume next school year with some adjustments.

Forson said, “We will maintain these procedures barring any future emergency orders or crisis events.”

In Duval County, the school board said students and staff must wear masks inside schools for the rest of the school year, but can take them off during outside graduations.

Temperature checks will not be required prior to entering graduation. The district said, it “believes that removing these measures will not impact the safety of our graduates and guests align with the guidance of the CDC.”

DCPS has a survey out asking parents what they want when it comes to face masks and other COVID-19 protocols in the classroom. It’s available until Monday, May 24.

Clay and Nassau counties have not mentioned any changes into school policies at this time.

Cox Media Group