05/27/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/27/2022 12:43
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using COVID-19 Community Levels to determine which COVID-19 prevention strategies are needed, including masking, to reduce medically significant disease and preserve healthcare capacity. At low and medium COVID-19 Community Levels, masking is optional. When the COVID-19 Community Level is high, CDC recommends universal indoor masking in schools and ECE programs and other community settings.
In communities that are at a low COVID-19 Community Level, some people will choose to wear a mask based on personal risk and/or preference. They should be supported in their decision to do so. In addition, when the COVID-19 Community Level is medium, people at high risk of becoming very sick from COVID-19 should talk to a healthcare provider about wearing a mask and taking other precautions.
Schools and ECE programs should allow flexible, non-punitive, and supportive policies and practices around individual and setting-specific choices or reasonable accommodations. For more information about masks, including mask exceptions and mask recommendations for people with disabilitiesexternal icon , please visit Your Guide to Masks.
CDC guidance is meant to supplement-not replace-any federal, state, tribal, local, or territorial health and safety laws, rules, and regulations with which schools and ECE programs must comply.