Marion County

Marion County schools face mask policy goes into effect, with opt-out option

MARION COUNTY, Fla. — Starting Thursday, students and employees at Marion County schools must wear face coverings on school property when they cannot safely socially distance or if they have not opted out.

Students are able to opt out of the requirement with their parents permission. Employees are also able to opt out of the requirement with a documented medical condition.

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During a meeting on Monday, Marion County School Board members approved the new face covering resolution by a 3-1 vote.

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School officials said the requirement will remain in place until the local positivity rate and rate of new cases per 100,000 people (as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ) declines to the “substantial” level or lower for at least two weeks.

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Face covering “break areas” will also be available to all students.

Katlyn Brieskorn, WFTV.com

Katlyn Brieskorn is a Digital Assignment Editor at WFTV. She joined Channel 9 in July 2019.