HISD reopens all playgrounds, allows outdoor graduations

Houston ISD officials announced Friday that all school playgrounds are now open and that recess will be allowed at each campus.

In a statement, the district said students will be required to wear face coverings while using play equipment and during recess to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Leaders also announced Friday that HISD high schools will be allowed to hold in-person, outdoor graduation ceremonies. The events will have limited attendance, and masks and physical distancing will be required of those who attend.

The statement said the changes were made after district officials reviewed local public health conditions and vaccine distribution efforts. Harris County remains at Threat Level Red in its COVID-19 response, the most severe level. Under that guidance, county officials still are urging residents to only leave their homes for errands and that employees should continue working from home if they can.

However, COVID-19 metrics in the county have improved in recent weeks. The number of COVID patients in ICU and the county’s test positivity rate have fallen by more than half following a post-holiday spike in January, and the daily new case average is down 83 percent.

Scott Packard, a spokesperson for the Houston Heath Department, said even though more and more people are getting vac

cinated, it is important that schools follow social distancing protocols during classes and at events.

“Event organizers must ensure there are measures in place to allow for proper social distancing and require people in attendance to wear masks," Packard said. "We are all anxious to resume normal life but we can’t do that until a sufficient

percentage of the population is vaccinated.”

The majority of school districts in the county already reopened their playgrounds to students months ago and have announced plans for in-person graduation ceremonies.

“Safety is at the heart of our decision making, and HISD will continue to monitor conditions and update protocols as needed,” the statement said.