NEW: Northam orders mask mandate for K-12 students in Virginia

Governor Northam has issued a Public Health Emergency Order requiring masks for children in grades K-12 for the upcoming start of the fall semester that commences this month.

Northam cited legislation passed by the General Assembly to enact CDC guidelines which call for Virginia school systems to adhere to COVID mitigation steps.

The governor also said there are still a few public school districts that do not plan to implement a mask mandate and Thursday’s statement was to clarify the state’s seriousness to the order.

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