California will not reinstate mask mandates in classrooms for the 2022-23 school year, as first reported by SF Chronicle.

The state’s guidance, which was updated in a press release published June 30 by the California Department of Public Health, or CDPH, continues guidelines from spring 2022. However, public health officials continue to recommend that students wear masks to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks in K-12 schools.

The CDPH’s guidance also recommends that individuals use mitigation strategies to protect themselves from COVID-19, such as staying up-to-date on vaccinations, optimizing indoor air quality, testing frequently and practicing good hygiene.

“COVID-19 is here to stay, but we have learned methods and gained tools to decrease its impact on our health and well-being,” CDPH said in the press release. “California’s schools can manage this disease in sustainable and adaptive manners.”