Grand Rapids Public Schools announced Wednesday that while masks will be strongly recommended, the district will not require students, teachers, or staff to wear one when classes resume in-person learning this fall.
While new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls for universal masking in schools, officials from GRPS say they will leave that decision to parents and its empolyees.
John Helmholdt is the district’s Executive Director of Communications and External Affairs. He says, all of this is subject to change, but it won’t be a decision that school officials will make.
“We will not be policing this, unless or until, health officials actually issue a mandate or order," Helmholdt said. "We are going to continue to follow what their guidance is, and their guidance is that they recommend—(but) not requiring or mandating (masks) at this time.”
The announcement comes as Michigan health officials report a spike in new COVID-19 infections due to the delta variant, while hospitalizations in the state are up 55%.
