The New York State Education Department has released guidance this afternoon, telling local school districts that all students, teachers and staff should wear masks in school buildings, regardless of their vaccination status. NYSED is following the latest Centers for Disease Control guidelines.
In addition to a mask mandate, the Education Department says school districts should make sure as many students over age 12 as possible are vaccinated, and may work with local health departments to help make that happen.
Additional recommendations for high school sports are causing concern. NYSED says sports and extra-curricular activities should be canceled or held "virtually" in areas identified as "red zone" high transmission areas...unless all participants are fully vaccinated. That now includes Monroe County. Sports directors at area school districts are trying to get clarification.