JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Jamestown Public School District will continue requiring masks, even after a citywide mandate is removed.

Jamestown Public School Superintendent Dr. Rob Lech says in their recent report, they believe the masks have been an important factor in keeping COVID-19 numbers low in the district.

Dr. Lech says in their data from December 18th, 2020, was a good show of how masks work in the buildings. The district reported that 4 students tested positive. 87 students were then considered “close contact exempt.”

Dr. Lech says the “close contact exempt” allows students to remain in school without risk of spreading COVID-19. He says with Governor Doug Burgum’s mask mandate expiring, they will continue enforcing masks inside their buildings. This includes games and events.

When asked about vaccinations for teachers and staff, Dr. Lech says he doesn’t have a date, but says an expected increase in doses coming to the state is a positive sign.