The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has released new K-12 school guidelines that require all students and staff in the state to wear masks in school buildings, regardless of their vaccination status.
The CDPH guidance differs from the recently released CDC guidelines, which say that students and faculty who are fully vaccinated do not need to wear masks indoors this fall.
"Masking is a simple and effective intervention that does not interfere with offering full in-person instruction,” California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said in a statement. “At the outset of the new year, students should be able to walk into school without worrying about whether they will feel different or singled out for being vaccinated or unvaccinated—treating all kids the same will support a calm and supportive school environment."