Students, teachers and staff in the many Catholic schools in Butler County will be required to mask up when they return to class in the upcoming weeks, according to a news release issued Tuesday by the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh.

The release, issued Tuesday afternoon, says the diocese will mandate masks when indoors, regardless of vaccination status.

The release continued to say frequent mask breaks will be provided, which is best done outside.

Classrooms and lunchrooms will employ physical distancing strategies in the least restrictive manner.

“Although we had hoped to be in aposition to allow optional masking, that is not possible at this point in time,” said Michelle Peduto, the diocese' director of catholic schools. “The protocols for quarantining in an optional-mask environment would significantly compromise our ability to provide in-person instruction.”

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