Indoor mask wearing for students and staff of school districts throughout the state will be optional as of Saturday, March 12, Washington Governor Jay Inslee’s office announced Monday.

That’s also the day mask wearing on school buses becomes optional for students and staff, per the Centers for Disease Control’s announcement that it was lifting the federal requirement.

But until March 12, as Auburn School District Superintendent Dr. Alan Spicciati emphasized in an update Monday’s regular meeting of the Auburn School District Board of Directors, masks will still be required for all staff, students and visitors in all Auburn School District buildings.

“Since March of 2020, the ASD has followed Washington State Department of Health guidance to help keep students and staff healthy. Our goals this year have been to keep schools open and slow the spread of the virus. As a district and community, we have done a great job in implementing the strategies that have moved us to this milestone,” Spicciati said in a letter to parents, staff and students.

“As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, the pandemic is not over. We will continue to emphasize good hand-washing hygiene, provide hand sanitizer, utilize testing, frequently clean, physically distance when possible and remind anyone who is sick to stay home.”

Spicciati said the district will provide updated information as it receives additional guidance from public health officials in the coming weeks.