Keeping COVID-19 limits is up to each Texas school district as mandates due to be lifted

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Following Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to lift all COVID-19 restrictions, including ending the mask mandate, almost every school district across the Houston area indicated they were waiting for Texas Education Agency guidance on how to move forward.

But on Wednesday, the TEA said it will be up to each school district on whether to maintain mandated COVID-19 protocols.

Under TEA’s updated guidance, “a public school system’s current practices on masks may continue unchanged. Local school boards have full authority to determine their local mask policy.”

The updated guidance also addresses things like non-UIL extracurricular sports and activities and on campus visits by parents and the general public.

As for vaccinating teachers, TEA stated educators can get a COVID-19 shot, but they are not required to get one, labeling it as voluntary.

Earlier Wednesday, another state agency, Texas Department of State Health Services, directed vaccine providers to immediately allow teachers and child care workers to get vaccinated.