Governor, Health, and Education Officials Make Keeping Schools Open A Priority Amid COVID Surge

Wyoming state leaders are describing priorities and expectations for students, staff and families as students return to classrooms across the state during a time of increasing numbers of COVID-19 infections. COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths have been increasing in Wyoming over the last few weeks due to the highly contagious Delta variant. Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, the Wyoming Department of Education and the Wyoming Department of Health announced a joint plan that’s been put into place to make sure schools in Wyoming remain open and students continue their learning safely in-person, in the classroom.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow said Wyoming proved over and over during the last school year that in-person instruction and extra curricular activities can occur safely. Balow added that every community has the expertise, the resources and the commitment to make excellent decisions that ensure another successful school year.  Governor Gordon reiterated that personal responsibility is essential and even though there will be no statewide mask mandate, he said vaccination and mask usage can help students and staff minimize the ripple effects that illness and quarantining can have on Wyoming’s communities and economy.

State Health Officer and State Epidemiologist with the Department of Health, Dr. Alexia Harrist said keeping schools open last year was a priority and it remains a priority as there is no question that most students benefit from in-person learning. Dr. Harrist said safe, effective and free vaccines remain readily available in Wyoming for anyone 12 years of age and older.

-Details about what parents can expect if school students test positive or are quarantined can be found on the WDH website and are also being provided to all Wyoming school districts. 

-Detailed guidance for schools from the CDC is available here

-Convenient ways to find where to get COVID-19 vaccines include:

• Visit Vaccines.gov or vacunas.gov online to search and find vaccine sites.
• Text your ZIP code to 438829 (GETVAX) or 822862 (VACUNA) to find up to three nearby locations that have vaccines available.
•  Call the National COVID-19 Vaccination Assistance Hotline at 1-800-232-0233 for phone-based help.

-More information from WDH about vaccination in Wyoming can be found here