MARICOPA COUNTY, AZ — Maricopa County Public Health officials have released guidance recommending face coverings be worn in a school setting.
The guidance states that all students, staff and visitors should be required to wear face coverings "inside school buildings, anywhere on school grounds, and at school-related activities, whether indoor or outdoor."
MCPH constitutes a face covering as a "well-fitting reusable or disposable face covering that fully covers a person's nose and mouth."
They also say the face coverings should be required on school buses or other public transportation vehicles.
There are a few exceptions in place, however:
- "The individual has a medical or behavioral condition or disability and cannot wear a face covering (including, but not limited to, any person who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious or incapacitated, or is otherwise unable to put on or remove the face covering without assistance)
- When actively eating or drinking
- When strenuously exercising or swimming
- When seeking to communicate with someone with hearing loss in a way that requires the mouth to be visible
- When working at home or when in a vehicle alone or with household members
- An individual may temporarily remove a face covering for identification purposes or medical services
- Children under two (2) years of age should not wear a face covering"
The guidance also states that plastic face shields should only be allowed as a substitute for those unable to wear a cloth face covering. The CDC does not recommend face shields as they do not provide any benefit as a sole source of protecting others from respiratory particles.
To read the full guidance from Maricopa County Public Health, click here or read below:
