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.
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.
