OUTDOOR MASKING UPDATE


Effective immediately, in accordance with the updated Los Angeles County Public Health Order, Da Vinci Schools will no longer require masking while outdoors at school. Masks are recommended while in crowded outdoor spaces. An updated school protocol and youth sports protocol are expected by the end of the week and additional details will be shared if needed. 

Indoor masking is still required in K-12 schools.

Please note, in some instances outdoor masking is still required

  • Any staff or student who are considered a close contact and are remaining at school because the exposure was either mask on mask are still required to wear a well fitting, non-cloth mask of multiple layers of non-woven material with a nose wire mask indoors and outdoors for the full 10 days regardless of vaccination status
  • Any staff or student who quarantined for 5 days and returned with a negative test are still required to wear a well fitting, non-cloth mask of multiple layers of non-woven material with a nose wire mask indoors and outdoors for the full 10 days following exposure regardless of vaccination status
  • Any staff or student who test positive for COVID-19 and return to school before 10 days by “testing out early” with a negative test are also required to mask outdoors for the full duration of 10 days regardless of vaccination status

Of importance, under the current Exposure Management Plans from Los Angeles County, those with mask-on-mask exposure at school are not required to quarantine from school regardless of vaccination status. However, those who are not fully vaccinated are required to be quarantined if they are identified by a positive case as someone with whom they spent time unmasked (outdoors/lunch etc). Therefore, please review this information with your Da Vinci student and make the best choice about outdoor masking for your family given your circumstances. 

Regarding indoor masking:
The state continues to require masking indoors for K-12 schools. While today the state also lifted its indoor mask-wearing requirement for fully vaccinated residents in many community settings, Los Angeles County will maintain its indoor mask mandate for all people, regardless of vaccination status in all settings, including in K-12 schools. 

Los Angeles County Public Health has said that the county's indoor masking rule will remain in place until the county's virus-transmission rate falls to the "moderate'' level, as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and stays there for two weeks. With the county's rate declining, and at the current pace, Public Health officials stated yesterday that it should reach the "moderate'' level by March 16, meaning the indoor mask requirement could be lifted by March 30 in some settings. 

K-12 Schools are one setting (like hospitals and long term care facilities and transportation hubs) that are required to follow specific protocols. Therefore, masking indoors at K12 schools will continue until both the State and County lift the requirement for the school setting specifically.