Starting Wednesday, mask wearing will be optional for all Philadelphia public schools students and staff, except those in PreK Head Start programs, officials confirmed.
"We know that vaccines are the best protection against the spread of coronavirus. Right now 86% of School District staff are fully vaccinated and PDPH reports that more than 75% of Philadelphians over the age of 12 are too. And over the past several weeks, COVID-19 case counts in Philadelphia have remained consistently low."
There will be a one-week mask requirement after spring break to avoid a post break surge in cases, officials said."Any student or staff member who wishes to continue to wear a mask may continue to do so and we recommend that unvaccinated individuals and individuals with certain medical conditions continue to wear masks," officials said.
Masking will still be required for all PreK Head Start students and staff, as required by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.