Many Valley school districts are letting students know that wearing a mask is no longer mandatory on buses.

The Centers for Disease Control announced on Friday that people are no longer required to wear masks on buses or vans operated by public or private school systems, including early care and education or childcare programs.

The CDC says the change is in alignment with updated guidance that no longer recommends universal indoor mask-wearing in K-12 schools and early education settings in areas with a low or medium COVID-19 Community Level.  Many Valley districts have already made masks optional in school buildings.

The CDC said school systems may still choose to require that people wear masks on buses or vans.

As of Sunday evening, the following districts had announced on their websites or social media that masking would be optional for those using school transportation.

Trumbull County

Newton falls

Mahoning County

Austintown, Boardman, Lowellville, Canfield, Youngstown City Schools

Columbiana County

Salem, Leetonia, Columbiana, Crestview, East Palestine, United Local, Lisbon, Beaver, Wellsville, East Liverpool

Mercer County

Jamestown Area, Mercer Area

The CDC has introduced a new framework to determine whether the level of COVID 19 and severe disease in communities are low, medium, or high in a community.

This new guide moves beyond just looking at cases and test positivity to evaluate factors that reflect the severity of disease, including hospitalizations and hospital capacity.

The CDC has released an updated map showing COVID 19 levels across the country.

As of Friday, the map showed Columbiana as the only one of four counties in the area with a low level.

According to the latest CDC guidelines, people may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.

Those who are immunocompromised should learn more about how to protect themselves.

COVID-19 levels are medium in Mahoning, Trumbull, and Columbiana Counties, according to the CDC.

The CDC advises that people who are at high risk for severe illness in communities with medium levels should talk to their healthcare provider about whether they need to wear a mask and take other precautions.

Those in communities with low levels are advised to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and get tested if they have symptoms

To see the latest CDC COVID 19 level in your county, click the link below.