Tri-County Health issues COVID-19 school mask order for kids 2 through 11 [Video]

ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. — In a much-anticipated decision, the local public health agency for Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas counties decided it will require masks for all children aged 2 to 11 years old — and all the individuals working or interacting with those children — in all indoor school and child-care settings in the three counties as a COVID-19 safety measure.

In its decision, the Tri-County Health Department cited the absence of an approved coronavirus vaccine for children under the age of 12 years.

Douglas County commissioners told Colorado Community Media shortly after the decision that they plan to opt out of the order. The county has opted out of other Tri-County Health orders over the course of the pandemic.

The Douglas County School District was interpreting the order to mean school districts must follow the order regardless of the county government’s choice to opt …