Students will not have to wear masks in school

But will be required to wear them on the bus

Recommendations and requirements will be two words school districts will be looking very closely at before the start of the 2021-22 school year.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, they are recommending indoor mask-wearing for unvaccinated students ages two and older, as well as staff. They also recommend anyone 12 years of age or older who have not been vaccinated should wear a mask.

WEM Superintendent Joel Whitehurst said the local school district will not require any students to wear a mask while inside the school buildings…as of July 26. But this may change if different mandates come from the Minnesota Department of Health and/or Minnesota Department of Education.

“There is nothing required, just recommended,” Whitehurst said. “We have been running summer school with the same philosophy (not requiring masks).”

The only place that students will be required to wear masks will be when on...

To see more on this story pick up the July 29, 2021 print edition of the LifeEnterprise.