Tulsa Public Schools To Drop Mask Requirements After Thanksgiving Break

Tulsa Public Schools says it will encourage people to wear masks but it will no longer require it. 

Dr. Deborah Gist said because COVID-19 cases are down right now and more people, including children as young as five, have access to the vaccine. The district says it can now cut back on its mask requirements.

High school students and staff will be the first to drop the requirement on November 29th. That’s right after Thanksgiving break. The District says it hopes elementary, middle and junior high schools can drop mask-wearing by January 4th.

TPS is also changing its quarantine guidelines. Students who've been exposed to COVID will no longer be required to quarantine. Superintendent Gist said the district will continue to monitor cases and make changes as necessary. 

“We intend to be very flexible and to adjust as appropriate and to continue to keep our team members and our students and all of their families safe,” said Gist. 

Students riding the school bus to and from school will still have to wear a mask on the bus because that is a federal mandate.