Omaha school district releases next year’s mask policies

OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Omaha Public Schools (OPS) and Westside Community Schools have announced dates for when students, staff, and visitors will no longer be required to wear masks.

For OPS, the change the requirement will be dropped on Thursday, July 1. From there, the district says masks will be optional.

At Westside, masking will be optional for fully vaccinated individuals starting on Monday, June 21. Unvaccinated individuals are “are strongly encouraged to continue to wear masks.”

When school is back in session, the district said the Douglas County Health Department (DCHD) may recommend quarantining due to possible exposure. The district says people should expect the following next school year:

• Vaccinated students and staff won’t need to quarantine if they are exposed to COVID-19.
• A student or staff member that chooses to wear a mask won’t need to quarantine if they are exposed to COVID-19.
• A student or staff member who isn’t fully vaccinated nor chooses to wear a mask may have to quarantine under the direction of DCHD.