Kanishka Singh

(Reuters.) – Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards stated Tuesday that his state had decided to end its mandate for indoor masks, with the exception of K-12 schools. This was due to the declining growth of coronavirus infected.

An updated governor’s order gives school districts the option to opt out from the mask mandate provided that they adhere to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended quarantine guidelines to help prevent campus outbreaks.

The CDC guidelines still state that everyone aged 2 or more who has not been fully vaccinated must wear a mask when in public indoor spaces.

“Today, I am cautiously hopeful and relieved that this fourth surge in COVID has clearly passed us. This is directly due to Louisianans who put on their masks, were vaccinated and took additional precautions to remain safe,” said the Democratic governor.

According to the statement, local governments and private firms may continue to enforce and require masks under the Governor’s Order, which took effect on Wednesday.

Edwards brought back the statewide indoor-mask mandate in August. This was because COVID-19 hospitalizations had increased.

Over 750,000 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the Southern U.S., and there has been over 14,000. According to the CDC, 56% of residents are fully vaccinated for children 12 years and older.