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Students and staff in district schools must wear face masks when classes resume later this month.

Driving the news: The School District of Philadelphia rolled out its updated COVID protocols on Friday, which stress personal responsibility over previously strict policies around quarantining and mask-wearing.

The big picture: The updated protocols come on the heels of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) loosening its recommendations amid less risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death compared to earlier in the pandemic, Axios' Sareen Habeshian writes.

Details: Face masks are required for students and staff Aug. 29, the first day of school, through Sept. 9. After that, face coverings are optional but encouraged.

Be smart: The district will reinstate mask mandates under certain circumstances:

Of note: Students and staff at all pre-K Head Start programs, which are federally funded, are still required to mask at all times.

Plus: Students and staff exposed to COVID can remain in school but must wear a face mask for 10 days.

Zoom out: Philly's community spread level is currently at "medium" risk, according to the CDC.

Go deeper: Visit the district's website for its most updated pandemic policies.

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