Students riding Austin ISD school buses will be required to wear a mask following federal orders provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Why it matters: Because of Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order, Austin ISD can’t mandate masks in our schools, but the federal order requiring them will apply on our school buses. Mask usage was effective last school year to keep infection rates low in schools.

• "We know masks kept our students and teachers safe last year, and the CDC agrees that masks can keep our children safe,” said Kris Hafezizadeh, executive director of transportation. “That's why masks –– along with assigned seating and, weather permitting, open windows –– are required on our buses. We are asking parents to send their children wearing masks. If we all wear masks, we'll all be OK."

What riding the bus will look like: Students will be assigned seats to assist with contact tracing if needed. Hand sanitizer will be available, students in the same household will sit together, and the buses will be cleaned daily. Buses may operate at full capacity.

Yes, but: There are exemptions in the CDC’s order, including:

• A child under the age of two.
• A person who cannot safely wear a mask because of a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Dive deeper: If you want your child to wear a mask, send them to school with one and we’ll take care of the rest.