Orange County cancels in-person graduation ceremonies due to COVID-19

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orange County Public Schools said Tuesday that it has canceled in-person graduation ceremonies for the 2019-2020 school year.

Superintendent Barbara Jenkins based her decision on the recommendation of Dr. Raul Pino, the Florida Department of Health's health officer for Orange County.

Read: Department of Education issues executive order stating Florida schools must reopen in August

The school district said Jenkins' canceled the in-person ceremonies because of the recent increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in Orange County.

The Florida Department of Education said Monday that all schools must open their brick-and-mortar buildings when classes resume in August. Click here to read more about that.

OCPS teachers, staff members, parents and students held a car parade protest outside the school district’s headquarters in response to Monday’s executive order.

Read: Face masks leading to decline in COVID-19 cases in Orange County, health officials say

Orange County School Board members met later Tuesday to discuss the decision during a work session.

Watch live coverage of this developing story on Channel 9 Eyewitness News.

Per the expert guidance of Dr. Pino with the Florida Health Department - Orange County, Dr. Jenkins had to announce
to our families of 2020 graduates that we are unable to host in-person graduation ceremonies due to the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in Orange County.
— ocpsnews (@OCPSnews) July 7, 2020

Video: Orange County high school football players start summer conditioning Orange County high school football players started summer conditioning training Monday. It was first time they were allowed back on campus since the pandemic hit.