Watford City’s teachers, staff now required to wear masks
By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor
As the number of positive COVID-19 and close contact cases for students and staff at McKenzie County Public School District No. 1 have increased, the school board is now requiring all district staff to wear masks to help slow the spread of the virus.
The school district reported on Oct. 2, that four individuals had tested positive for COVID-19, while another 36 individuals were quarantined after being identified as having been in close contact. One week later on Friday, Oct. 9, the district’s number of positive and close contact cases increased to 13 and 38, respectively.
While the new requirement is for all district staff to wear masks, Steve Holen, district superintendent, says that the wearing of masks by students remains voluntary under Phase 1 of the Yellow level.