By Josh Beavers

The Webster Parish School System has issued Covid guidelines for the upcoming school year.

“We are looking forward to a GREAT 2021-22 school year,” the district said in a Facebook post Friday afternoon. “The State of Louisiana has a mask mandate in effect until September 1. Students ages 5 and up and all adults will be required to wear a face mask indoors.”

The post continues: “Masks are NOT required outdoors. By Presidential Order, masks are required to be worn by everyone on a school bus. Please monitor your student each day for symptoms.”

School begins Thursday.

Symptoms include, but are not limited to, the following:
Fever greater than 100.4 F
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Increasingly nonproductive (dry) cough
Body aches or fatigue
GI symptoms (nausea or diarrhea)
Loss of taste and/or smell
Other flu or cold-like symptoms such as a headache, sore throat, or congestion

The post continues: “The Department of Health guidance indicates that symptomatic individuals need to have a negative PCR COVID test OR an alternative diagnosis OR complete quarantine.”

The district said: “We are continuing to work closely with the Louisiana Department of Education and the Louisiana Department of Health to follow the guidelines and keep our students and staff safe.”