Northern Michigan health departments to end K-12 mask mandates

Interlochen Public Radio | By Kendra Carr

Published February 11, 2022 at 5:49 PM EST

A 67% decrease in statewide pandemic risk factors is leading northern Michigan health departments to drop school mask mandates.

The Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department and Health Department of Northwest Michigan are both lifting mask mandates for K-12 schools.

It will go into effect at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, February 17, 2022.

According to press releases from the health departments, pandemic risk factors decreased by 56% in the Grand Traverse region in the last three weeks.

A decline in the number of COVID-19 cases across the region and vaccine availability for children above age five, played a factor in the decision to end the mask mandates.

	Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department	Health Department of Northwest Michigan
5-11 year-olds	36%	23%
12-15 year-olds	55%	46%

Table: School age children vaccination rates per Health Department

As a result of the announcement, Traverse City Area Public Schools will no longer require masks in buildings starting Friday, February 18.

This is following a January decision by the TCAPS Board of Education to abide by the masking order from the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department.

Masks will still be required on school buses due to the federal transportation mandate. That mandate is currently expected to expire March 18, 2022.