CDC updates guidance for COVID-19 prevention in K-12 schools

Editor's Note

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on July 9 updated its guidance for COVID-19 prevention in K-12 schools and urged schools to fully reopen in the fall even if they can’t comply with all the recommendations on physical distancing and mask-wearing.

The agency says if maintaining 3-ft spacing would prevent schools from bringing students back, they can use a combination of other strategies like, masking, testing, and enhanced ventilation.

The updated guidance also says masks can be optional for vaccinated students, teachers, and staff, but because children under 12 years are still ineligible for vaccination, unvaccinated individuals should continue to wear masks. In general, the update says people do not need to wear masks when outdoors.

In addition, the CDC advises school districts to use local health data to guide decisions about when to tighten or relax measures like masking and physical distancing.