PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Kindergarten through sixth-grade students at the Pickerington Local School District will no longer be required to wear masks starting in January.
The new policy goes into effect on Jan. 4. Seventh through 12th-grade students were strongly encouraged to wear masks, but they were never required.
Pickerington superintendent Dr. Chris Briggs said the district made the decision now that COVID-19 vaccines are readily available for students in the lower grades.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention gave the OK for children between the ages of 5-11 to get Pfizer's kid-sized dose of their vaccine.
Briggs added that the Jan. 4 date was selected to allow time over Thanksgiving and winter break for parents to get their kids vaccinated if they want to.
Masks for K-6 students have been required since mid-August. The younger students can still wear a mask if they wish.