PORTLAND (WGME) – Some Maine school districts are making changes amid a rising number of COVID-19 cases. All students, staff and visitors at Portland Public Schools will be required to wear a mask indoors and on school buses starting on Thursday, according to Superintendent Xavier Botana.

Botana says they decided to bring back masks based on rising COVID-19 cases and CDC recommendations. “We’ve been very clear since the beginning that we would follow the guidance that we receive from our medical team,” Botana said.

Portland schools are doubling down on the basics too. That means stay home if you are feeling sick. Covid cases have also been on a rise at the private school Waynflete in Portland’s West End. They had 55 new cases last week compared to the 10 cases they had the entire first semester. They will be delaying performances, bringing back a mask mandate, and moving more activities outdoors.

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