Savannah-Chatham public schools: Masks for students, staff are optional starting Tuesday

Editor's note: The story has been corrected. Masks are no longer mandatory on school buses.

Starting March 1, masks will be optional for Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS) staff and students while inside any school or facility.

A decline in transmission rates within the schools and community, and the high level of vaccinations among school staff are reasons why the district decided to drop the mandate, a media release said.

The district said face coverings will be strongly encouraged for staff and students while indoors. Students, staff, and families will be asked to continue hand washing, social distancing and to avoid large crowds.

If students and staff are sick, they should stay at home. District staff will continue to monitor positive COVID-19 positivity rates and make adjustments in order to let schools remain open.

"I’m pleased that we could offer this option to our families and staff.  We understand that not everyone is going to feel comfortable without a mask and we encourage those who wish to continue wearing a mask to do so.  In fact, we strongly encourage staff and students to consider the use of a mask while indoors, and to continue those safety practices that have allowed us to arrive at this point," Savannah-Chatham superintendent Ann Levett said.

"We are encouraged by the decline in community transmission and bolstered by the high vaccination rates among our staff.  We will continue to monitor key indicators and are poised to make adjustments as appropriate. We thank our students and staff for their flexibility as we have made various adjustments to our practices over the life of this pandemic."