ROGERS CITY — Rogers City Area Schools is implementing a mask mandate that requires students and staff to mask up to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in schools.

Masks are mandatory beginning today.

Parents began receiving the news via text notifications and phone calls Monday afternoon.

The statement says all students, no matter their vaccination status, are required to wear masks during the school day.

“This is being put into place so students do not have to quarantine which is resulting in an unmanageable position for the district,” the notice says. “Students in the future who are positive will still have to quarantine with those who are symptomatic but others will just have to monitor for symptoms as long as the mask is being worn.”

The school will also have a “test to stay” option available, which would allow students who have been exposed to the virus, but are uninfected, to remain in school as long as they’ve taken frequent COVID tests.

Rogers City is the second local school system in the last two days that has reimplemented masking mandates. Alpena Public Schools announced masks are required in their schools starting today.