PA Department of Health Order Directing Face Coverings in Schools The Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health issued an order today requiring the universal wearing of facial coverings in all K-12 public schools effective Tuesday, September 7th, 2021. 

The Order states that:

“Each teacher, child/student, staff, or visitor working, attending, or visiting a School Entity shall wear a face covering indoors, regardless of vaccination status, except as set forth in in the exemptions below:

Exceptions to Covering Requirement

All alternatives to a face covering, including the use of a face shield, should be exhausted before an individual is excepted from this Order.

If wearing a face covering while working would create an unsafe condition in which to operate equipment or execute a task as determined by local, state, or federal regulators or workplace safety guidelines.If wearing a face covering would either cause a medical condition, or exacerbate an existing one, including respiratory issues that impede breathing, a mental health condition or a disability. (Note: CASD may require medical documentation)When necessary to confirm the individual’s identity.When working alone and isolated from interaction with other people with little or no expectation of in-person interaction.If an individual is communicating or seeking to communicate with someone who is hearing-impaired or has another disability, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.When the individual is under two (2) years of age.When an individual is: Engaged in an activity that cannot be performed while wearing a mask, such as eating and drinking, or playing an instrument that would be obstructed by the face covering; orParticipating in high intensity aerobic or anaerobic activities, including during a physical education class in a well-ventilated location and able to maintain a physical distance of six feet from all other individuals. When a child/student is participating in a sports practice activity or event, whether indoors or outdoors.”