Youngstown Diocese: Catholic schools can lift mask mandates in January
The Catholic Diocese of Youngstown says schools can lift their mask requirements after Christmas.
But whether Stark County Catholic schools will return to a voluntary masking policy has yet to be decided.
In a letter to families Monday, Mary Fiala, superintendent of diocese schools, wrote that the mask mandate for school and school events, which began in August, will remain in place through Christmas. She cited the high number of COVID-19 cases in the counties under the diocese’s jurisdiction, which includes Stark, Portage, Mahoning, Columbiana, Trumbull and Ashtabula.
She said waiting until Christmas also gives families the opportunity to get the COVID-19 vaccine if they want it.
Beginning in January, schools can adopt a voluntary masking policy, Fiala wrote. She said that wearing masks still is “highly encouraged” for students, employees and volunteers.
Fiala cited the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 and older, the minimal spread of the virus within schools and the low number of people who have been quarantined as the reasons for lifting the mask mandate in January.
“Vaccines are a sign of hope and offer another layer of protection,” Fiala wrote, noting that the COVID-19 vaccine is supported by the Catholic church.
Fiala, who said vaccinations will not be mandatory in schools, said the Diocese supports the schools that may want to continue the mask mandate.
Kristie Cramer, spokesperson for Stark County Catholic Schools, said Monday afternoon that local school officials continue to review the information the Diocese released Monday.
“Principals will review the updated diocesan policy, look at trends in their schools and local community, and consult with their local health departments, then inform each of their school communities in the coming weeks of the plans for each individual school,” Cramer said.
Students still would be required to wear a mask while on the school bus.
While the Diocese may be lifting its mask requirements, its other existing protocols, such as physical distancing, frequent hand-washing and sanitation, will continue.
Fiala said schools will follow the state’s updated masking and quarantining procedures, which no longer require unmasked and unvaccinated students and school staff to quarantine at home if they come in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 at school.
Instead, they can remain in class if they do not develop symptoms and if they wear a mask for 14 days or show a negative result from a test taken five to seven days after exposure.
Fiala also called on families to show kindness and compassion and to take care of one another.
Reach Kelli at 330-580-8339 or kelli.weir@cantonrep.com.
On Twitter: @kweirrep