Dallas ISD will require people to wear masks inside buildings until June 5 and “highly encourages” wearing masks after that.
“We will continue following social distancing and sanitation protocols, and are committed to continue offering services like student and staff vaccinations, as resources become available,” DISD said in a tweet.
The news came May 18 after Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order that prohibits school districts along with counties, cities, public health authorities and government officials from requiring masks. The order goes into effect for schools after June 5, but any government or local official that tries to require masks starting May 21 can be fined up to $1,000.
“The Lone Star State continues to defeat COVID-19 through the use of widely-available vaccines, antibody therapeutic drugs, and safe practices utilized by Texans in our communities,” Abbott says in a press release. “Texans, not government, should decide their best health practices, which is why masks will not be mandated by public school districts or government entities. We can continue to mitigate COVID-19 while defending Texans’ liberty to choose whether or not they mask up.”
DISD began busing students at some high schools to vaccination sites this week during school hours.