SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California is considering changing the way it manages masks in schools and is expected to make an announcement Monday.
Dr. Mark Ghaly, California Health & Human Services Agency (CalHHS) Secretary, said a lifting of the mandate is inevitable, saying it is just "a question of when."
He expressed confidence that the mandate would be lifted after a Feb. 28 reassessment, barring another sudden spike in virus infection rates and hospitalizations.
"Parents should not hear that we aren't making a move," Ghaly said, insisting the state is only "taking a little more time" to ensure pandemic metrics continue on a downward path.
Several school districts in Northern California have already moved to a mask-optional policy ahead of the announcement.
RELATED:
- CDC eases mask guidelines for more than 70% of Americans
- Two more Northern California school districts are dropping the student mask mandate
- Roseville school district discusses possible liability for going against state mask mandate
- Roseville City School District says it won't exclude kids who choose not to wear masks
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