On May 16, 2021, an email from Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PDH) Alison Beam and Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Noe Ortega directed PA school districts to continue with the cleaning and masking guidelines that are currently in place, requiring masks in schools for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year. In fact, both PDH and PDE continue to recommend that schools follow the guidelines for physical distancing previously outlined.

Since most K-12 students in PA are not vaccinated and only a few weeks remain in the 2020-21 school year, PDE is recommending that schools continue to follow their current mitigation strategies. According to PDE, remaining consistent in approach will help to ensure the safety and well-being of school communities while minimizing disruptions that may result from significant revisions to existing plans. School entities are also reminded that they may implement stricter mitigation strategies than those required by law, guidelines, rules, and regulations.

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To access PDE guidance on its website, click here.