Photo: August de Richelieu
The Ohio Department of Health has released a Director’s Order outlining the requirements for face mask use/facial coverings in childhood education settings.
The basics? All students, faculty and staff in any “child care setting, school building or other location that provides care or education to any child in kindergarten through grade twelve” in Ohio needs to be in a mask when they are:
- Inside anywhere, including classrooms, gyms, offices, locker rooms, hallways, cafeterias and locker bays.
- Outdoors on school property when they cannot social distance from members not of their household.
- Waiting for a bus and cannot maintain six feet of distance and when they are on the bus.
When don’t you have to wear a face mask in a child education setting?
- If you have a medical condition — respiratory, mental health or disability — that contraindicates the use of a facial covering.
- If you are communicating with someone with a disability or someone who is hearing impaired where such accommodations are necessary or appropriate.
- If you are actively participating in outdoor recess or physical activity and can maintain a distance of six feet from others. Or if you are involved in an athletic practice or scrimmage that allows for the exception of a face mask under a different health order.
- If you are actively eating or drinking.
- If students and staff can maintain six feet of distance and the removal of a mask is necessary for instructional purposes, like in teaching or learning a foreign language.
- If students are six feet apart and taking a mask break as deemed necessary by the educating supervisor.
- If you’re alone in an office or enclosed space.
- If you have a sincerely held religious belief that does not allow for a face covering.
This order is in effect from 12:01 a.m. on Aug. 14 and will be in effect for the full State of Emergency as declared by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, or until the Ohio Department of Health modifies or rescinds it.
You can read the full order at coronavirus.ohio.gov.