On Thursday the Mexico School District announced that students would return to the classroom on Monday, Dec. 7 and that in school education would continue until the holiday break.

“We recognize educating children in-seat is always best, when possible, for our students,” Superintendent Dr. Tammy Lupardus said in a statement in which she also thanked the school community for their patience.

Mexico schools shut their doors and went to a virtual schedule on Nov. 16 in response to a rise in local COVID-19 cases. The school continues to be under code red conditions and the coronavirus cases in Audrain County remain high, with the death toll now at 16.

While Gov. Mike Parson declared on Nov. 12 that schools with a mask mandate were not required to quarantine, recent modifications to state Department of Health and Senior Services and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education guidelines led to the decision to return students to the classroom.

According to the new guidelines, students and staff wearing proper face coverings are no longer considered in close contact. Students and staff exposed to someone who tests positive for COVID-19 aare no longer required to quarantine.

Mexico schools are implementing a mask mandate as part of the reopening. Students will be required to wear proper face coverings while on campus.

“We understand some students, such as those with special medical needs and sensory issues, may be unable to wear a mask,” Lupardus said in the statement. “In situations where either the person with COVID-19 or the person exposed to the positive case is not following the mask mandate or was not wearing an appropriate mask correctly during the time of exposure, the close contact will not be permitted to attend school.”

In such cases the quarantine period could extend to 14 days.

The school district is asking elementary students to return devices, charges and packets to their school on Monday. Middle and high school students are expected to bring devices with them for classroom use.