In response to a Friday mask mandate for county schools issued by the Hidalgo County health authority, the Mission school district announced they will be requiring the use of face masks by all students, employees, and visitors on all district facilities.

The district previously announced they would be requiring masks on school buses.

RELATED: Hidalgo County health authority issues mask mandate for area schools

 “We greatly appreciate the support of our county officials in giving us this added tool in protecting our students and employees,” Mission CISD Superintendent Dr. Carol G. Perez said in a statement. “The use of masks is proven to help control the spread of COVID-19, and this is especially important to all of our families with students who are not old enough to get vaccinated yet.”

RELATED: Face masks to be mandatory on Mission CISD school buses  

The mask requirement is one of many safety measures the district will implement to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including:

• • The use of the highest level of HVAC filters in buildings and schools
• • Hand sanitizer stations in all classrooms, school buses, and common areas of buildings
• • Daily temperature checks of all students, employees, visitors
• • Daily disinfecting e-misting and sanitizing of facilities
• • Cleaning and disinfecting of school buses between routes and at the end of each day
• • Continuous clearing of high touch surfaces
• • Provide student and staff face shields when requested
• • Make sure desk shields are available for use in classrooms and cafeterias
• • New, touch-free water bottle fillers in all schools
• • Isolation rooms for students who may show symptoms of COVID-19 after arriving at school
• • Providing masks to children who need them while at school
• • Provide continuing instructional services for students in quarantine

The district will also continue to notify parents if their child was in close contact with a person confirmed with COVID-19, the district said in the news release.