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Manatee County Schools approves temporary mask mandate with opt-out

Over the course of the first two days of the new school year, more cases were reported than the entire first week of school last year.

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Manatee County school district leaders approved a temporary mask mandate for students and staff, one that will include an opt-out for both. 

It was carried by a 3-2 vote.

The school district confirms that during the first two days of the new school year, more COVID-19 cases were reported than in the first week of school last year. It was this recent development that prompted the emergency meeting Monday. 

During the meeting, the school board amended the language of the proposed motion to implement a mask mandate that would include an opt-out for both students and staff. It would last at least through Aug. 25. 

Most of the cases seen have been staff members, according to the district. During another emergency meeting just before the school year began, school leaders said the district would not make masks mandatory.

During the first week of the 2021-2022 school year, Manatee County Schools leaders re-implemented last year's COVID protocols.

The decision was made after leaders evaluated the number and types of cases that have been recorded at schools in just the first two days of the new year. 

A district spokesperson last Thursday confirmed 38 positive cases of COVID-19 for Aug. 10 and 11.

Old safety protocols that are coming back include:

  • Sending students and staff that are sick or showing symptoms home until they are symptom-free.
  • Daily temperature checks for all staff and randomly for students.
  • Reinforcing proper handwashing techniques
  • Providing and encouraging the use of hand sanitizer
  • Deep cleaning and disinfecting schools and buses daily
  • Socially distancing as much as possible
  • Limiting the number of non-essential visitors and volunteers on school campuses.

The school district also said it is strongly encouraging wearing masks indoors. It also adds that every person who is eligible to receive the COVID vaccine is strongly encouraged to do so.

RELATED: Manatee County schools will re-introduce COVID protocols

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