Mask Mandates & Free Covid Testing to Remain in Place for Students of HISD

Despite Gov. Greg Abbott’s stance, The Houston Independent School District will continue to uphold mask mandates, and offer free COVID testing on campus for students and staff in 2022, Superintendent Millard House II announced last week, according to the Houston Chronicle.

House said the district would review the mandate after the holidays. HISD is one of the few school districts still requiring masks in the state.

“In light of the surge of COVID-19 cases in Houston and the surrounding areas, HISD continues to prioritize safety, including providing additional vaccination and COVID testing opportunities,” House said in an email to parents.

Omicron is sweeping the nation as the average number of daily cases has doubled since Nov.29. The New York Times’ COVID data tracker shows a jump in cases from 80,680 to 201,330. Texas reported 10,600 new cases as of last Thursday, the highest since Oct. 6.

HISD data shows a jump from 22 cases on Dec. 10, to 143 cases on Dec. 17.

HISD will be offering the aforementioned testing services starting January 2022 and requires a one-time consent form: https://bit.ly/HISDC19Test.

Drive-thru COVID-19 PCR tests also will be available on the following dates and times:

Thursday, Dec. 30, 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Sam Houston MSTC and Delmar Stadium

Thursday, Dec. 30, 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Kashmere HS and Lamar HS

Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Chavez HS, Westbury HS, and Westside HS

Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Bellaire HS and Worthing HS