Signs in a hallway reminds students to wear masks and distance themselves at Fox Trail Elementary School, Friday, Oct. 9, 2020, in Davie, Fla. Broward County, Florida schools began a phased reopening for face-to-face eLearning Friday. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Masks will once again be required by employees and vendors at schools. Beginning Jan. 5, all employees, vendors, and visitors are required to wear facial coverings the Palm Beach County school district said Friday.
Students are strongly encouraged to wear facial coverings but are not required to under Florida law.
The mandate comes after a recent surge in COVID-19 cases brought on by the Omicron variant.
Superintendent Mike Burke said he will continue to work closely with local health officials and reevaluate facial covering requirements in two weeks.