Fulton County Schools officials say the district will only distribute food for students once next week as it revises its distribution plan to help curb the spread of the coronavirus.
A spokesman said students will be able to pick up five meals when food is distributed on April 15 from its 21 previously announced locations.
Officials said Friday that changes were made after the Georgia Department of Education shared information with the district regarding the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance for essential employees, which now requires wearing face masks.
"Based upon these precautions and the limited quantities of available masks at this time, the school system will only be providing meals on Wednesday, April 15, for next week," the district said in a statement. "Meal distributions will take place at all 21 locations. Distributions are canceled for Monday and Friday."
Previously, the district was distributing food to students three days a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Fulton was the first school district to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic, cancelling classes on March 10 and 11 after an employee tested positive for the virus, then reopening most schools for a day before closing again, htis time with many other metro Atlanta school districts.
"We are in the process of re-evaluating our capabilities to provide masks and adhere to these new CDC recommendations for the long term," the district said. "Food distribution is an important part of supporting our students, but we must balance that critical need with the health of our employees and the community.
“The circumstances around the pandemic continue to evolve and we must make changes as they do.”
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