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Duval County superintendent provides update to COVID-19 protocols ahead of the new school year

DUVAL COUNTY, Fla. — Saying the Delta variant could make the upcoming school year more difficult, Duval County Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene unveiled the district’s latest COVID-19 protocols.

As of the announcement Tuesday, Duval County schools strongly encourage students to wear face coverings. Employees on the other hand will be required to wear masks until at least September 3.

Dr. Greene said temperature checks will be reinstated for elementary school students, since they are unable to get a vaccine. Doses are available for students over the age of 12 and teachers can get a COVID shot Wednesday through the district. Whether staff and students get the vaccine, Dr. Greene says that will be based on the honor system.

Dr. Greene said, “We want to spread the vaccination, not the virus.”

Other strategies include:

  • Hiring additional nursing staff and health aides in each district school
  • Free telehealth with parent authorization for each student
  • A COVID-19 dashboard will operate again next Tuesday and update daily
  • Assigned school bus and classroom seating charts to help with contract tracing

Remote learning options are not available for this fall, however registration for Duval Virtual School is open until Monday, August 9. Teachers will have Duval HomeRoom available in case classrooms have to be relocated because of an outbreak.