Oregon students and staff must still wear masks, governor says

Students and staff must continue wearing masks even with relaxed mask rules for the vaccinated, Gov. Kate Brown said Thursday.

Under COVID-19 rules and guidance, face coverings and physical distancing continue to be required at in-person school board meetings, according to OSBA Senior Assistant Legal Counsel Elliot Field.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Thursday that fully vaccinated people do not need to wear masks in public except where required by federal, state or local rules.

Brown quickly followed up, saying Oregon would follow the CDC guidance but teachers and students would still be required to wear masks as outlined in the “Ready Schools, Safe Learners” guidance. 

The Oregon Department of Education said all visitors to school campuses, including parents, also must wear masks. It said graduation events would need to conform to the Oregon Health Authority’s guidance for indoor and outdoor entertainment. 

ODE and OHA are working on guidance for the next school year. Washington has already said students and staff will have to wear masks next year.

Up-to-date information is available through the OSBA COVID-19 FAQ or in consultation with OSBA staff.

- Jake Arnold, OSBA
jarnold@osba.org