Gates Chili School District mandates masks, regardless of vaccination

GATES, N.Y. (WHEC)— With students set to go back to school within a few weeks, the Gates Chili School District has already made its decision on masking, and it does not matter if you’re vaccinated.

The district Monday night shared all staff students and visitors of the district are required to be masked inside all buildings, regardless of vaccination status. It falls in line with recommendations for grades K-12 from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The district cited the CDC recommendations, the increase of COVID-19 cases across our region, and Monroe County’s designation as a "substantial" transmission area for the virus as parts of its decision.

Masking outdoors is not required.

Effective Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, and while the county falls under under the substantial risk designation, all staff students and visitors of the district are required to be masked inside all buildings, regardless of vaccination status. Masking outdoors is not required. 2/

— Gates Chili CSD (@GatesChiliInfo) August 3, 2021

Monroe County health leaders issued a strong recommendation for all indoor areas to re-introduce masking policies in response to the designation. Public Health Commissioner Dr. Michael Mendoza told News10NBC Investigative Reporter Jennifer Lewke the hope is the mask recommendation will lower the infection rate by the time the school year starts.

The district says it will continue to monitor conditions around the area.

Check out this list of other venues which have also added back a mask policy.