OHA update to indoor face covering rules announced, Baker School District comments

By Shannon Weidemann (McKone) on Tuesday, March 1st, 2022 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News

BAKER COUNTY – (Release from the Baker School District) The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) announced another update to statewide and K-12 indoor face covering rules that will lift the current mask rule beginning Saturday, March 12, 2022, rather than on March 19 or March 31, 2022, as previously communicated.

School districts were also notified that an updated Ready Schools Safe Learners Resiliency Framework will be released on Wednesday, March 2, 2022.

Baker School District leadership will be meeting with representatives from the local health department this week to fully understand the new guidelines. It is expected that masks will also become optional in District schools starting Monday, March 14, 2022, the first school day following the lifting of the statewide mandate.

“We appreciate the ability to make decisions with our health department at the local level that we feel are best for Baker students, staff, and families,” said Superintendent Witty. “We remain committed to stricter health and safety protocols around medically vulnerable students and support anyone who still wishes to wear a face covering once they become optional.”