Schools in the Dallas Independent School District and districts in Dallas suburbs, like Lancaster, are gradually reinforcing COVID-19 safety precautions.
These safety measures include reinstating mask requirements and transitioning back to virtual learning. In Richardson Independent School District, however, classes are to resume on campus with some protocols in place.
RISD now strongly encourages masks indoors across the district and vaccinations for those eligible.
According to the RISD COVID-19 Case Portal, there are 166 positive cases among staff and 287 positive cases among students across the district as of Jan. 3.
The district also offers testing at Lake Highlands High School and Richardson High School for asymptomatic staff and students.
On Sunday, DISD’s The Hub made an announcement of the district’s protocols going forth until after spring break. It is as follows:
- requiring masks
- encouraging vaccinations
- practicing social distancing
- continuing cleaning and hygiene efforts, and
- frequent testing.
Based on DISD’s COVID-19 case portal, most cases are concentrated in elementary schools with 2,918 total positive cases among students in all grades and 973 cases among campus staff.
In Lancaster ISD, classes will be held virtually for a limited time from Jan. 4 through Jan. 7 in order to monitor cases. Following these dates, the district plans to return to in-person classes.