Allegan and Kalamazoo counties have issued orders requiring masks to be worn in schools by students and staff. The Allegan County and Kalamazoo County orders require that at schools for children K through 6th grade, everyone must consistently wear a mask covering both their nose and mouth while inside any enclosed building. The orders apply to everyone regardless of vaccination status. The orders are in effect immediately and will remain in effect for at least six weeks. Health officials say the most effective way to prevent transmission in schools is to support being vaccinated. However, students younger than 12 years are currently ineligible to receive the vaccine. Therefore, they say the best protection strategy against COVID-19 that is available to that young population is masks.
