Los Angeles students must wear non-fabric COVID masks at all times, including sports activities, district says

Students in Los Angeles schools are now prohibited from wearing cloth masks as the district ups its efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Starting Monday, students in the country’s second-largest school district must wear “well-fitted, non-cloth masks with a nose wire” at all times, the district announced. This policy includes indoors as well as athletic activities.

School employees, meanwhile, are required to wear surgical-grade masks or higher, the announcement said.

The shift away from cloth masks comes after the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) issued guidance that COVID-19 masks should be upgraded to medical masks because they are more effective at preventing the spread of airborne diseases.

Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) said the new masking requirements wouldn’t apply to students with mask exemptions. Schools will provide surgical-style masks for students and employees who need them, the district said.

An LAUSD spokesperson told Fox News that the district will continue to follow the latest guidance from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH).- READ MORE