Yesterday afternoon, Dr. Mark Ghaly of the California Health and Human Services Agency hosted a press briefing on COVID-19. During this briefing, Dr. Ghaly provided an overview of COVID-19 case rates and addressed the mask mandate for general public settings, which is set to expire today for vaccinated individuals.

Dr. Ghaly stated that the mask mandate for school settings will remain in place. Dr. Ghaly’s slides included that while, “based on our data, it is reasonable that we’re getting close to a point where state masking requirements can be relaxed,” there is no change to the state’s school masking requirement at this time. The state will reassess the data and conditions (factors such as case rate, test positivity, hospitalizations, and vaccine rates) and on February 28th may announce a date when the mask requirement will move to a strong recommendation.

According to Dr. Ghaly, no specific thresholds or targets have been established for relaxing the mandate. Acknowledging the frustration of some parents and the fears of others, Dr. Ghaly suggested that the next two weeks are a chance for school communities to prepare for changes in future guidance, “so when the decision is made at the state level, people will be well prepared.”

The Vista Unified School District Board Policy No. 0470 is aligned to federal, state, and local health requirements. As a result, Vista Unified will continue to follow the CDPH mask requirements for all indoor school settings.

This is a fluid situation that continues to evolve. We will share additional information as it becomes available.