With COVID numbers declining, Bibb County School District to change mask policy

Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones announced Tuesday that the Bibb County School District is changing its mask policy, no longer requiring masks inside school buildings, and will stop publishing COVID-19 numbers, starting March 1.

Jones said the change was prompted by a decrease in COVID cases in Macon. The district will continue to monitor case data within the district, and will continue to inform parents via School Messenger calls if their child has been in a classroom with an individual who has recently tested positive for COVID, according to a press release.

Masks are still required on school buses, per federal mandate according to a press release. Also, any students or adults riding on buses to or from school, for athletic trips, for field trips will be required to wear a face mask while on school buses. The district had required teachers, students and staff to wear masks while indoors.

Students and staff returning from isolation or quarantine after Day 5 are required to wear face masks at school and eat in an isolated area through Day 10.

The school district will continue to implement safety measures by doing the following:

• Bipolar ionization of units used in all district schools and facilities will purify the air and reduce the spread of germs

• Clean spaces frequently after use

• Limit access to buildings for visitors and parents

• Approved volunteers must still have proof of vaccination

• Encourage vaccinations and boosters for those eligible

• Host vaccination clinics at schools

• Have weekly COVID-19 testing voluntarily for students and staff

• Offer temperature scanners at the entry to each school building

• Allow frequent breaks for hand washing

• Touchless water fountains

The change aligns with information from the North Central Health District, the local arm of the state health department. Community data will be available for public access through the Georgia Department of Public Health.