Prince George’s County Public Schools will return to a mandatory mask policy in all schools and facilities effective August 15th

- Jackson Avery


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Prince George’s County Public Schools announced the following update on August 12th:

Mask Policy Update: Friday, August 12

In light of the highly contagious COVID-19 BA.5 variant, Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) will return to a mandatory mask policy in all schools and facilities until further notice, effective Monday, August 15. This decision was recommended by the Prince George’s County Health Department.


When responding to public health threats such as COVID-19, Maryland school districts have flexibility in determining mask-wearing policies. In July, PGCPS transitioned from mandatory mask-wearing to a mask-optional policy for the first time since the onset of the pandemic.

Mask policy is subject to change according to local and/or state health department guidance and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations.

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Here is a look at the COVID-19 Community Levels in Maryland as of August 13th:

Five jurisdictions in Maryland are listed in the HIGH category:

  • Montgomery County
  • Prince George’s County
  • Somerset County
  • Wicomico County
  • Worcester County

Currently Carroll County is listed in the “MEDIUM” category.

Per the source below…”Other school systems in the region have yet to issue a similar mask guidance for students, who are due back in classrooms in roughly a month. In neighboring Montgomery County, the health department recently issued a recommendation for indoor masking as the county entered high transmission of the virus, but the public school system has not mandated students wear masks again after dropping the policy last spring.”

Recently the CDC issued Updated COVID-19 guidance that included:

  • Recommending that instead of quarantining if you were exposed to COVID-19, you wear a high-quality mask for 10 days and get tested on day 5.
  • Recommending that if you test positive for COVID-19, you stay home for at least 5 days and isolate from others in your home.  You are likely most infectious during these first 5 days. Wear a high-quality mask when you must be around others at home and in public.
    • If after 5 days you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication, and your symptoms are improving, or you never had symptoms, you may end isolation after day 5.
    • Regardless of when you end isolation, avoid being around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 until at least day 11.
    • You should wear a high-quality mask through day 10.

Jackson Avery

Jackson Avery

I’m a journalist focused on politics and everyday social issues, with a passion for clear, human-centered reporting. I began my career in local newsrooms across the Midwest, where I learned the value of listening before writing. I believe good journalism doesn’t just inform — it connects.