Shorewood School District Now Requires Masks For All Indoors

SHOREWOOD, WI — Shorewood School District will now require all people, vaccinated or not, to wear masks when inside all District buildings, according to an announcement from Interim Superintendent Dr. JoAnn Sternke.

Starting Aug. 4, "masks will be required for everyone (ages two and up) indoors, in all District facilities," Sternke said in the announcement.

"This means that all students, staff and visitors will be required to wear a mask when inside, regardless of vaccination status."

The new policy comes after new CDC recommendations and a sudden surge in COVID-19 cases across the north shore. North Shore Health Department advised people, even those that are vaccinated, to wear masks when inside public places in areas of high or substantial community transmission.

Milwaukee County is currently considered at high risk of community spread. The north shore, which boasts above-average vaccine rates, is also considered at substantial risk of community spread. The area has seen a surge in cases in recent weeks.

The CDC issued new guidance last week. The new recommendations are in line with the Districts: all people in areas of substantial or high risk of community spread should wear a mask, vaccinated or not.

The Shorewood Public Library also took action. Masks are now required for all library patrons older than 2, regardless of vaccine status.

Large retailers and institutions across the nation have reinstated their mask mandates. Some employers and colleges have gone the extra step to require proof of vaccination.

Related: Latest WI Vaccine, Mask Mandates: See Who's Requiring It

A more detailed back-to-school plan will be sent out to parents in the coming weeks, according to the district announcement.