Seminole County Public Schools to require employees wear face masks, temporarily suspends visitors

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SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Seminole County Public Schools has announced it will require employees, vendors and contractors to wear face coverings while on school district property beginning Friday.

“Based on the information from the Seminole County Emergency Management Department, our community continues to see an increase in the positivity rate for COVID-19 cases, which are fueled by the Delta variant,” the school district said in a news release.

The decision was made in collaboration with Seminole UniServ, which includes Seminole Education Association, Inc. (SEA), Seminole Educational Clerical Association, Inc. (SECA), Seminole County School Bus Drivers Association, Inc. (SCSBDA) and the Non-Instructional Personnel of Seminole County School Board, Inc. (NIPSCO).

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For employees, vendors and contractors, masks will be required beginning Aug. 6 on district property, which includes school buses and other approved transportation provided by the district.

From Tuesday through Aug. 24, visitors will temporarily not be allowed on any district campus during standard operating hours.

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“As the circumstances around the COVID-19 Delta variant fluctuate, at the end of the two-week period this procedure will be reassessed to determine next steps as we continue to monitor and navigate the situation,” the district said.

Students return to campus on Aug. 10. The district said it is encouraging parents to consider face coverings for their students.

“For parents who wish for their student to wear a mask but are unable to provide one, schools will have a supply of masks available,” the district said.

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