Oregon to lift mask requirements for indoor public spaces and schools 7 days earlier than previously announced
Today, Oregon Governor Kate Brown said she will lift statewide mask requirements for indoor public spaces and Oregon’s schools seven days earlier than previously announced. After 11:59 PM on March 11, 2022, mask requirements will be a local decision. Implementation of indoor face coverings in schools and OAR 333-019-1015 will remain in effect until this time. The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) is working with OHA to update the Ready Schools Safe Learner (RSSL) Resiliency Framework. OHA and ODE are also partnering to develop practical updates to safety protocols for quarantine, contact tracing, and testing that meet the current conditions of the pandemic.
On March 12, 2022, the La Grande School District (LGSD) will be making masking optional in our schools. The district has conferred with local public health, local hospitals, and Union County Emergency Management and distributed a survey of students, staff and families to aid in making this decision.
LGSD will remain in continuous communication with Grande Ronde Hospital, the Center for Human Development and Union County Emergency Management to assess current COVID-19 numbers and the way they are affecting our resources. If, at any time, hospitalizations and cases are straining the local health system or LGSD’s ability to staff our schools, LGSD will work to follow the district’s Communicable Disease Plan to implement appropriate temporary changes in our schools.
Our district will be presenting LGSD’s response to the mask update, changes in RSSL Guidance, and information on the district’s Communicable Disease Plan in a virtual Town Hall on Thursday, March 3rd at 6:00 PM. Access via LGSD.TV. They will also respond to submitted questions. Please submit questions to reopening@lagrandesd.org.