OCPS votes to make face coverings optional

Orange County School Board members voted at their July 13 meeting in favor of making face coverings optional for the 2021-22 school year.

The new revision to Policy EBBA - Disease Prevention; Face Coverings states that each student, employee, visitor, vendor or other person may voluntarily wear a face covering at their discretion. Accepted face coverings include commercially produced and disposable masks, cloth face coverings, clear face coverings and face shields.

In accordance with the revised policy, should the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or other government entities issue updated guidance that mandates more restrictive face-covering requirements, the School Board also authorizes the superintendent to implement those requirements.

The policy is effective no later than Aug. 2.