Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced late last week that unvaccinated students will not be allowed to attend school and no alternative learning options will be offered.
All students and staff will be required to provide proof of a negative COVID test result before the start of the school year as well.
D.C. requires students 12 and older to be vaccinated against COVID in order to attend school. The Coronavirus Immunization of School Students and Early Childhood Workers Amendment Act of 2021 does allow people to file religious or medical exemptions. Students have 20 days to file their immunization certification.
After that, students will not be allowed to attend school or school activities until the certification is secured by the school.
Seventy-two percent of students in D.C. 12-15 years old are fully vaccinated, but just 53 percent of black students 12-15 years old are fully vaccinated.
