Lexington Catholic High will lift mask mandate Jan. 10, other diocese schools undecided

Beginning January 10, 2022, Lexington Catholic High School will switch to a mask “optional” COVID policy for all students and staff, principal Matthew George told families in a letter this week.

“Lexington Catholic will closely monitor the health and safety of everyone in our building and throughout our community. Optional masking may be suspended at any time if the need arises and return to mandatory masking,” George said.

For the short term, Catholic Diocese of Lexington Bishop John Stowe has extended the mask mandate through January 7, 2022.

“All students and staff in schools within the diocese, whether vaccinated or not, are to be masked while indoors on school property,” George’s letter said.

Lexington Catholic Diocese School Superintendent Tom Brown told the Herald-Leader Friday that officials had not yet made a decision on whether elementary schools would lift the mask mandate January 10.

“We will gather data and look at current trends and will make an announcement concerning those schools closer to Christmas break,” he said.

“Lexington Catholic High School has a very high vaccination rate,” Brown said. “We felt comfortable making the decision on the high school at this time. Everyone will stay masked till Christmas break.”

Fayette County Public Schools is still requiring students and staff to wear masks on all campuses.