Teton County extends mask order for students to finish out school year

JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — Teton County health officials extended a mask order for schools in order to finish out the calendar year with students using face coverings.

Statewide Health Order #1, which requires masks in public and private K-12 schools, is set to expire on May 31. Most schools in Teton County, however, are in session through June 11.

Since many students in Teton County have not had the opportunity to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, Teton District Health Officer Travis Riddell put into place Public Health Order #21-4. This public health order will require students, teachers, school staff and visitors in public and private K-12 schools to wear face coverings from June 1 through June 11.

Children are less likely to experience severe disease, but they are not immune to COVID; it poses a health risk to all age groups. The majority of students in K-12 schools are not eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine due to age. Many of those aged 12 to 16, the population that most recently became eligible for the Pfizer vaccine, will not be fully vaccinated by the end of this school year.

“Since most Teton County students are not yet eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine or fully vaccinates, we want to continue to ensure their safety during in-person learning. Wearing a mask is still the first line of defense against COVID-19 for most children in the school setting. This order will help provide a safe end to the school year,” Riddell said.