Vaccinated teachers and students don't need to wear masks inside school building when classes resume this fall, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in updated guidance on Friday.
Driving the news: The CDC urged schools to remain open and teachers and students to safely return to in-person learning. It recommended keeping prevention strategies in place to prevent future COVID-19 outbreaks in school settings, but stressed that in-person learning is a priority.
Details: The CDC said unvaccinated adults and children under 12, who are currently ineligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine, should still wear masks indoors.
- Students of all ages should continue to learn three feet apart, and schools should implement screening testing and promote hand-washing, respiratory etiquette and staying home when sick, according to the new guidance.
- If physical distancing can't be maintained, the health agency said classes should still be held with other precautions in place.
- The CDC did not advocate for schools to require teachers or students to get vaccinated against the coronavirus.
Go deeper: The post-COVID stickiness of hybrid school