Ohio Students Required To Wear Masks In School Buildings

COLUMBUS, OH — Ohio students in grades K-12 will have to wear masks when in school buildings this year, Gov. Mike DeWine announced.

"This gives us the best shot to keep Ohio's kids and educators safe and physically in school," DeWine said.

Citing recommendations from the Ohio Children's Hospital Association and the Ohio Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics, DeWine issued an order mandating masks for students in all Ohio schools, in grades K-12.

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To support Ohio schools, the state government and FEMA are distributing more than two million masks to schools for use by students and staff.

"We’ll deliver these to regional education service centers serving as our distribution partners so schools and families have access to the resources they for the coming school year," DeWine said.

The governor said he understood the frustration many families and educators are experiencing as the school year approaches.

"Schools and parents continue to work to make decisions on how to safely go back to school. I know there is frustration by the uncertainty. We cannot know what the next three weeks will bring, let alone the next three months, six months, or nine months of school," DeWine said.