Students who have become accustomed to wearing face shields in school will have to adjust.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health’s most recent statistics put Warren County in an area of “substantial transmission” of COVID-19 for a second consecutive week.

In order to continue to offer in-person education under that circumstance, Warren County School District officials were required to sign an attestation that the district is following all guidelines — including the latest order.

One of the guidelines involves face shields.

“The only way we can permit shields is with a doctor’s order,” Superintendent Amy Stewart said.

That is a change.

“It came from the Secretary of Health’s order,” Stewart said.

“It is a change when you dig into the fine print of the actual order.”

The state definition of ‘face coverings’ does not include face shields. Shields are now considered an alternative to face coverings that are only acceptable under certain circumstances.

The district notified families over the weekend using its call blast system.

“We will have masks available for anyone needing one tomorrow,” Stewart said.

The district has kept a supply of masks at all locations. “We have not had difficulty procuring masks, to date,” she said.