CHATHAM, Va. – Starting Monday, January 24, parents in Pittsylvania County will have the option of deciding whether they want their children to wear masks in public schools. That’s according to Superintendent Mark Jones.

The change in policy reflects Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s Executive Order 2, which was issued the day of his inauguration. The order lifts the requirement that school children wear masks for in-person instruction. Masks will still be required when students are on school buses in Pittsylvania County.

Jones said the requirement that staff wear masks remains in effect.

Danville’s School Board had been set to reexamine the city’s mask policy at Thursday night’s meeting, however, that meeting was canceled due to the threat of inclement weather.

Classes were canceled or virtual last week due to the snowstorm but Danville students return to the classroom Monday on a one-hour delay.