East Liverpool City Schools has announced Friday that the district will be lifting its mask mandate on Monday, Dec. 13 based on Ohio Department of Health (ODH) guidelines.

According to a letter sent by district Superintendent Jonathan Ludwig, the district has seen a significant decrease in COVID-19 cases this week. As such, the school will be lifting its mask mandate and adopt a "Mask to Stay, Test to Play" policy. 

"Mask to Stay, Test to Play" allows for children exposed to COVID-19 to stay in the classroom for in-person learning unless they are experiencing COVID symptoms or test positive.

Students exposed must wear a mask to school for 14 days after exposure to COVID-19, monitor their symptoms with their parents and isolate and get tested if they experience any symptoms regardless of the severity.

If the students do not develop symptoms between days five and seven and test negative, they may remove their masks in school. However, if students do not get tested, they must wear a mask for the full 14-day period. 

Children exposed to COVID who are involved in extracurricular activities must wear a mask when riding the team bus, in locker rooms, standing on the sidelines or any other time the mask won't interfere with breathing or the activities they're involved in.

In order to continue participating in extracurricular activities, students must test for COVID upon initial exposure. They must test again between days five and seven of the initial notification to continue participating.

Tests may be PCR or antibody tests. All tests must be monitored or proctored. Students would have to go to a doctor, pharmacy or any other test provider.

Masks are still strongly recommended by the district and are still required on all school buses until March 18 2022 due to a federal mandate.