Parents can opt their children out of wearing masks in Martinsville schools

MARTINSVILLE, VA – Beginning on March 1, parents sending their children to school in Martinsville can opt them out from wearing masks.

Governor Glen Youngkin signed Senate Bill 739 into law which allows parents to choose wether they want their children to wear a mask in school.

As a result, Martinsville City Public Schools will allow parents to opt out of their school mask mandate.

To do so, parents must notify their child's principal in writing.

The school division says if parents do not notify the school, their children must continue to follow the mask requirement.

“As a division, we will continue to strongly encourage mask wearing as a key strategy in our efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our schools and community. We will focus on maintaining a positive and welcoming learning environment in which students feel comfortable wearing a mask,” said Superintendent Dr. Zebedee Talley Jr. in a letter to parents.

Per federal regulations, students will need to continue wearing mask on school buses.

All staff members will also be required to wear a mask in school buildings, per Virginia Department of Labor and Industry guidelines.