Butler County school districts are informing students and parents about the state’s updated mask policy.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health reinstated the mask mandate for schools effective Sept. 7.

The department’s order, signed Aug. 31, requires face coverings to be worn in all school entities, including school districts, brick and mortar and cyber charter schools, private and parochial schools, career and technical centers, intermediate units, early learning and other child care settings for the foreseeable future.

Butler County school districts are posting updates online regarding the policy change, including Allegheny-Clarion Valley School District, Butler Area School District, Freeport Area School District, Karns City Area School District, Mars Area School District, Slippery Rock Area School District and South Butler County School District.

Moniteau School District went to remote learning Aug. 31, with students set to return Sept. 7 with the mask mandate in effect.

The Department of Health is enacting the order because children under age 12 are more at risk of catching COVID-19 due to being unvaccinated, and the delta variant has been increasing deaths and hospitalizations in recent months.

Students and faculty had previously only been required to wear face coverings while on school buses.