Pasco County Students, Staff Still Required To Wear Masks

PASCO COUNTY, FL — Following the Pasco County Commission's announcement Monday that it was rescinding the mandatory face mask order, the Pasco County School District issued a news release to let parents know that face masks are still mandatory at all Pasco County public schools.

Pasco schools will continue to require masks for all staff, students and visitors on school campuses and in district offices for the time being, said Kurt Browning, superintendent of Pasco Schools, noting that the county commission's announcement only affects buildings and offices under the authority of the Pasco County governnment.

“I cannot in good conscience abandon our health and safety protocols at this time,” said Browning. “Our protocols have helped to prevent, and certainly reduce, the spread of COVID-19 among our students and staff.”

Browning added that students and staff have adapted well to the district’s established protocols, which include the wearing of masks and social distancing when appropriate. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention continues to recommend the wearing of masks in settings such as schools, and the state of Florida remains under an emergency order until April 26, unless the order is extended once again by the governor.

The number of reported positive cases of COVID-19 among Pasco students and staff has decreased significantly since January, said Browning. Though the district experienced an increase in March, which likely was related to spring break, the recent increases were well below the number of positive cases reported earlier in the year.

The superintendent is asking parents, students and staff to be patient and vigilant as the school year winds down and said he hopes masks will not be required when the new year start again this fall.

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• Pasco Schools Plan To Mandate Masks
• Here's What Pasco Parents Can Expect When School Starts Monday