Dear Superintendents and School Leaders,

I'm writing with updates on several COVID-19-related items that have arisen since my last message.

Yesterday, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced the face covering guidance that will become effective June 15. It states that face coverings and physical distancing will not be required for fully vaccinated individuals, except in settings where face coverings are required for everyone regardless of vaccination status. Settings where masks will still be required include indoor locations at K-12 schools, child care facilities, or other youth settings.

This essentially reaffirms the information we shared with you June 7.

It’s important to note that the rules on face coverings could change when the K-12 guidance for the

2021-22 school year is released. According to the County of San Diego, updates to state guidance for K-12 education, institutions of higher education, and child care settings will be released prior to June 15.

Cal/OSHA held a special board meeting Wednesday night to reconsider the face covering rules that are currently in place for employment settings. A motion was passed to withdraw approval of the June 3 revision of the ETS. The Cal/OSHA board plans to make additional changes to the ETS to better align with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and CDPH guidance for fully vaccinated individuals. Their next meeting is scheduled for June 17. For the time being, the existing standards will remain in place until the new ETS are fully approved.  

We will continue to provide updates as they become available. Thank you for all you are doing during these unprecedented times. As always, please let me know if you have any questions or need support.

Sincerely,

Paul

email: paul.gothold@sdcoe.net