On Tuesday, October 26,2021, Governor John Bel Edwards lifted the statewide mask mandate after Louisiana’s sustained improvement in terms of new cases, test positivity and hospitalizations. The Natchitoches Parish School Board has and will continue to follow the Governor’s guidance. Therefore, effective Wednesday, October 27, 2021, face coverings for students, staff and visitors are NOT required but are recommended and encouraged for unvaccinated individuals.
Per federal mandate, Kindergarten through 12th grade students and employees are still required to wear masks on school buses. If a parent chooses to have their student continue to wear a facial covering while on school grounds, NPSB officials and employees encourage them to do so and will support them in this decision.
The Natchitoches Parish School Board will continue to follow CDC Quarantine Guidance. In the event the community and/or school system’s positivity rate increases, guidance relative to mask mandate modifications will be considered and communicated. NPSB officials will continue to monitor data when making decisions relative to the safety of students and staff.
NPSB would like to thank the community for its continued support and cooperation. For more information concerning Covid-19 updates, please make sure to follow Natchitoches Parish Schools on social media or visit www.npsb.la/covid-19.
COVID-19 QUARANTINE PROTOCOL
The CDC has updated its guidance regarding quarantining of close contacts for students only.
- If a fully vaccinated student is identified as a close contact, the fully vaccinated student DOES NOT need to quarantine. The student should monitor for symptoms, and if symptoms develop, quarantine is needed.
- If an unvaccinated student is identified as a close contact but both the positive case and the close contact student were engaged in consistent and correct use of a well-fitting mask and were within 3 to 6 feet of each other, then the close contact student DOES NOT have to quarantine unless the student has symptoms. The close contact student should monitor for symptoms through the 10-14 day window, and if any symptoms develop, then the student would be quarantined.
- If a student has tested positive within 90 days and is identified as a close contact, the student does NOT need to quarantine. The student should monitor for symptoms, and if symptoms develop, quarantine is needed.