After Glenn Youngkin was sworn into office as Virginia’s 74th Governor on Jan. 15, he issued an executive order within hours designed to end mask mandates in Virginia schools.
The new executive order is intended to allow parents to opt-out of mask mandates, although the timetable and legality of the order remain unclear.
“We will make sure that schools allow parents to exercise their rights for what’s best for their children, to opt-out of those mandates,” Youngkin said in an interview with WTKR-TV in Norfolk prior to signing the executive order.
After reviewing the order, FCPS Superintendent Scott Brabrand said in an email to the community the school district will continue to require universal masking after the long weekend.
Brabrand expressed his satisfaction with current prevention strategies including masking, which he said have proven successful in keeping cases low in FCPS.
“Adhering to our layered prevention strategies, especially universal masking, keeps our schools open and safe places for students to learn,” he said.
In his message, Brabrand committed to keeping the FCPS community informed of any changes to the current FCPS masking policy.