The Diocese of Allentown has updated its COVID-19 mitigation plans for schools, just days before the 2021-2022 school year is set to begin.

Students and staff are now required to wear masks while in the buildings.

In a letter written by Dr. Philip J. Fromuth, superintendent of Catholic education with the diocese, he cites a surge in COVID-19 cases as a result of the delta variant, as well as the five counties within the diocese all being in high levels of community transmission, for the decision.

“If masking were optional and there would be even one COVID-19 case in a classroom, it would require certain students, masked or unmasked, to quarantine, preventing them from attending class in person,” Fromuth wrote. “If everyone in school is masked and has maintained social distancing, then only the affected student would have to quarantine.

“Without masks, even one case of COVID-19 in a classroom may impact multiple families, whether or not their children are wearing masks.

“School quarantines also increase the disruption for all parents who rely on the school schedule when making their own plans for work and other activities.”

The diocese then goes on to say that as a safety precaution in the hopes of keeping schools open for in-person learning, all schools will “require masks for all students, teachers, staff and visitors regardless of vaccination status in our school buildings.

“I recognize that not all parents will agree with this decision. Personal choice is an important tenet of our Catholic faith, and it is always our goal to allow parents, who are the primary educators of their children, to have a choice wherever possible. However, keeping our schools open for in-person learning is important for every student and family,” Fromuth wrote, adding that the diocese will continue to monitor the situation and will make changes to its plan as necessary.