'About time they lifted it:' LAUSD to end indoor mask requirement for staff, students

Los Angeles Unified School District officials announced Friday that they plan to lift the mandatory indoor mask requirement currently in place across all school campuses.

In a statement released Friday afternoon, district officials noted a "reached agreement with labor groups to align with the guidance from the State of California and Los Angeles County Department of Public Health."

Students are still strongly urged to wear masks as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

Local reaction to the change indicated much of the same that those across the Southland have seen in recent weeks -- parents leaving the decision up to their children, despite their own opinion.

"I, myself, am vaccinated," said Zohaid Haroon, the father of an LAUSD student on Friday. "I don't wear masks. But my son, if he wants to go out, he'll wear a mask."

Superintendent Albert Carvalho noted on March 11, that he had begun working with both union and district officials to work towards removing the requirement.

On Friday, he said, "I strongly support ending the indoor mask requirement and am committed to continuing to uphold our science-based approach to COVID-19 safety and protocols. I want to personally thank our students, employees and families for their support and patience. We know some in our school communities and offices will continue to wear masks, while others may not. Please consider your situation and do what is best for you or your child. Now that this important issue is behind us, it is time to focus on each student's full academic potential."

He also offered additional thoughts on the topic following the official announcement, where he said, "I think it will make a lot of people relaxed. I hope that it will reduce the conflict that will exist in our community regarding these issues."

However, Carvalho did make it clear that these changes were not permanent, especially with the ever-changing face of the COVID pandemic.

"What I can tell you, is that we will continue to follow science." he said.

The mandate was expected to be lifted no later than March 23. The agreement will also last until the end of the academic school year on June 30, at which point officials will again meet to discuss protocols for the coming school year set to begin in August.

The delay has been the topic of extreme controversy over the last week alone, but regardless of the timing, locals are just happy with the change.

"I feel it's about time that they lifted it," said Saida Aziz, another LAUSD parent who spoke with CBS reporters. "I'm happy they made the decision to lift it."

The highly-divisive topic of masking has split the public down the middle once again, with several parties still unsure about the sudden choices being made around the nation, despite new variants and outbreaks across the globe.

Jenna Schwartz, co-founder of Parents Supporting Teachers said, "there's still a lot of people who are not ready for this. They are feeling pretty scared right now. It's important that we maintain an environment where people feel safe."

As usual, LAUSD's decision comes about a week after the California Department of Public Health's like-decision to life the requirement, as school and union officials prefer to coordinate their decision with county guidelines.

This move comes nearly a month after the district lifted their outdoor mask mandate on Feb. 22.

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• Los Angeles Unified School District