During the Boulder County Public Health meeting last night, board officials decided to lift the county's mask mandate, allowing schools to set their own masking policies.
Although the masking mandate was lifted, BCPH stated in a news release that is recommends schools, child care centers, private businesses and employers to "enact their own indoor mask policies," to further reduce the risk of COVID-19.
"BCPH also recommends that private businesses and facilities implement their own vaccine or indoor mask requirements and policies to keep those they serve safe," according to the news release.
“The most recent COVID-19 data for Boulder County is highly encouraging—73 percent of the county’s residents are up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination, the surge of the omicron variant has peaked and appears to be less severe than previous variants, including in children, and new cases and positive tests are declining. Residents over the age of 5 can easily access a free, safe and highly effective vaccine and new treatment options have been approved and are being distributed,” said Camille Rodriguez, Boulder County Public Health Executive Director. “Despite those positive trends, not all the news is good. The number of COVID-19 deaths in Boulder County continues to increase and, although hospitalizations are decreasing, new COVID-19 cases continue to add strain to the county’s already over-taxed health care providers.”
This morning St. Vrain Valley Superintendent Don Haddad sent an email to parents announcing that mask will be optional in all schools, school related activities and athletic events after 5 p.m. on Friday.
Masks are still required to be worn on buses per the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's order under Section 361 of the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. 264, and 42 C.F.R. 70.2, 71.31(b).
According to the email sent to parents, SVVSD will continue its efforts to keeping students safe from the virus by encouraging social distancing whenever possible, continuing heightened cleaning protocols and continuing to use high-quality HVAC systems with increased ventilation.
Flagstaff Academy and Twin Peaks Classical plan to follow SVVSD's policy and make masks optional.
