Gov. Steve Sisolak on Wednesday issued a directive mandating masks for all teachers, staff and volunteers in Nevada’s 17 school districts.
That rule applies regardless of vaccination status.
He ordered masks on school property for all students in Washoe and Clark counties whether vaccinated or not but gave the remaining 15 counties the flexibility to determine their mask rules for students.
The rules also apply in charter schools and private schools.
He said the rules follow the latest Centers for Disease Control recommendations.
In addition, all students and staff including bus drivers must mask up while on school buses, including those students too young to be vaccinated.
The only exceptions to the rules, according to the governor’s directive, are those individuals in Clark and Washoe who have a medical exemption.
In the 15 smaller counties including Carson City, policies regarding masks must not conflict with face covering requirements issued by counties or local health authorities. But the directive states that if there is a school-wide COVID outbreak in any school, a universal mask requirement will be implemented immediately for all students in the building where the outbreak happened until local health officials determine it’s over.
Finally, the directive says weekly testing will be required in school districts, charters and private schools for all students, staff and volunteers who are not fully vaccinated including those traveling for athletic events.
