Public school districts across the Carolinas are reviewing COVID-19 protocols as the delta variant continues to cause a surge in coronavirus cases nationwide.

At the state level in North Carolina, Governor Roy Cooper strongly recommends but does not require, masks for most students this upcoming school year. Local school districts on the county or city level are instituting their own decisions on whether students or staff will need to wear masks

South Carolina public schools are bound by Proviso 1.108 which was passed by the General Assembly as part of the 2021-22 General Appropriations Bill. This rule prevents school districts from requiring face coverings in schools. The use of face coverings by students and staff within school facilities remains a recommendation of state and federal public health officials and Proviso 1.108 does not prevent districts from encouraging the wearing of face coverings in these settings.