The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has yet to drop its mask mandate and will meet to discuss the matter on Wednesday, March 16.

With COVID-19 metrics decreasing and most students vaccinated, L.A. County school districts were allowed to drop its mask requirements on Monday, March 14.

LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said the district would work with its labor partners to try and change the mask mandate into a “strong suggestion.”

“I am 100 percent committed to upholding our science-based approach to COVID-19 protocols,” Carvalho said in a March 12 statement. “I strongly support amending Los Angeles Unified’s previously negotiated agreements to align with the current health guidance released by the state of California and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.”

In COVID-19 update, Dr. Smita Malhotra, Medical Director For LAUSD, noted the district is planning to move from a pandemic phase, to an endemic phase, as its employees are 100% vaccinated and more than 90% of students are vaccinated.

“We’re not saying that people should not mask,” Malhorta said. “We want families to assess their own risk and comfort level.”

 

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