The Republican and Democratic nominees to be the next governor of Virginia have taken contrasting views about Virginia’s mask mandate for K-12 students, staff and teachers.

After reversing course from previous state guidelines, State Health Commissioner Norm Oliver signed a Public Health Order, which required universal masking for students, staff and teachers while indoors at K-12 public school facilities. The order applies equally to vaccinated and unvaccinated people, but does not require masking outdoors.