San Diego Unified Lifts Student Mask Mandate Following Spring Break

Students returned from spring break Monday to a new no-mask policy at San Diego Unified schools for the first time since campuses reopened amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Masks are now strongly recommended but not required by students and staff at schools within the San Diego Unified School District -- California's second-largest school district. Masks may also be required if someone is attending school after being exposed to COVID-19.

NBC 7's Amber Frias looked into what the move might mean for some local school districts that are still enforcing indoor mask mandates.

The change came after the CDC recategorized COVID-19 community transmission in San Diego County from high to low.

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Face coverings are optional in San Diego County schools now as students return to campus from spring break. NBC 7's Audra Stafford speaks with parents on the matter.

California Gov. Newsom allowed school districts to decide starting March 12 whether to make masks optional indoors. SDUSD, at first, planned to wait until after the spring break week to lift the mask mandate but changed course with the CDC's ranking change.

San Diego County COVID Community Transmission Rated ‘Low’ by CDC

Students are returning to campus after spring break – with the option to keep masks on or off. NBC 7’s Audra Stafford has more information.

Students returning to campus following spring break were also provided with at-home COVID-19 tests to be used before returning to campus -- a strategy the district said worked well as students returned from winter break earlier this year.