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CINCINNATI — Wearing a mask at Cincinnati Public School buildings and facilities is now optional for students, teachers and visitors.

On Monday, the Cincinnati Board of Education unanimously voted to amend its mask policy, which had been in place since August 2020. It was last revised in August 2021 at the start of the school year.

The board said it decided based on guidance from medical professionals and the current status of COVID-19. The amended policy qualifies that the decision is contingent upon local status of the pandemic.

“Consistent with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Cincinnati Public Schools will no longer require all students, staff or visitors to wear masks in district schools or buildings when the risk of COVID-19 is determined by the board to be safely low,” the word of the amended language in Code 5321 said.

The move officially went into effect for the school day Tuesday. Board members got started a little early, though. Many removed their own masks at the end of the meeting.

“It’s time,” tweeted board member Mike Moroski, who has long advocated for strong district-wide COVID policies. “We have done a good job mitigating spread and I believe we will continue to do so. We must remain vigilant while also moving on. I know we can do both.”

It’s time. We have done a good job mitigating spread and I believe we will continue to do so. We must ramain vigilant while also moving on. I know we can do both. https://t.co/iItdgzsvkY

— Mike Moroski (@mike_moroski) March 8, 2022

Students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 may return to school five days after a positive test. They must continue to wear a face mask for 10 days following a positive test per CDC guidelines.

In a statement, CPS will implement additional COVID-19 precautions to protect students five years old and younger who are not eligible for the COVID vaccine. All preschool classrooms, autism and multiple disabilities units now include air purifiers. The school district said teachers and staff in these classrooms received N-95 masks, and they may wear the masks voluntarily.

Those who have known exposure to COVID-19 are still “strongly encouraged” to wear a mask and to get tested for COVID-19, but they do not have to stay home. Anyone who is sick or displaying symptoms should stay home.

The school board also spelled out that they will continue to support any student, faculty members or visitor who wears a mask. They said any “harassment, intimidation or bullying” over a person’s decision to wear a mask will be subject to punishment based on the district’s code of conduct.

The board said the CPS administration will continue to consult with local health department officials and community health partners and should there be a spike in cases of COVID or heightened health risks, they will reserve the right to implement new policy rules.

“At times when the risk of COVID-19 is determined to be unsafely high, the administration shall inform the Board and recommend action, including requiring all students, staff, and visitors to wear masks. The Board shall determine whether or not to implement safety protocols, including if necessary, requiring all staff, students, and visitors who are not fully vaccinated and boosted to wear a mask.”

Cincinnati Public Schools was among the first school districts in the country to enact a mask policy.

As of March 3, roughly 84.9% of all Ohio school districts, or 517 districts, have instituted mask-optional policies, according to data from Ohio Department of Education. At that time, masks were required for all students in 83 districts, or 13.6%. That number included CPS.