TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — The Vigo County School Corporation announced on Thursday that its schools will shift to a mask optional policy beginning Friday, Feb. 18.
The Indiana Department of Health, according to a VCSC news release, also no longer recommends contact tracing and quarantining in schools. This decision by the VCSC was per the IDOH and in collaboration with the Vigo County Health Department, the release said.
Per the CDC, if students or staff members are positive for COVID-19, regardless of their vaccination status or symptoms, they will be isolated at home for at least five days, a release said. Those in isolation may return to school on day six, the release said, as long as they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of medication.
Masks should then be worn for an additional five days, VCSC said.
VCSC’s new mask optional policy will be implemented in all buildings as well as for all extracurricular events hosted by the district, the release said.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has mandated masks to be worn on buses through March 18. Students will be expected to wear masks on buses until the federal government changes the current requirement.
