Richland graduations won’t separate vaccinated, non-vaccinated families

RICHLAND, Wash. — Following updated guidance from the Washington Department of Health (DOH) and Benton-Franklin Health District (BFHD), the Richland School District won’t require vaccination and non-vaccinated spectators into separate groups. This way, families and friends can celebrate their loved one’s graduation together; regardless of their vaccinated status.

Updates to this guidance were announced by both Richland High School and Hanford High School through the school district. Each of the schools will eliminate the vaccinated and non-vaccinated sections at their respective ceremonies. Furthermore, vaccinated individuals will not be required to wear masks during the event, though non-vaccinated visitors must continue to wear theirs.

At Richland High, ticket requests will be fulfilled as normal, but the color of the wristbands each visitor receives will not matter anymore whereas previously it’d tell which section each visitor was meant to sit in. Emails with vaccinated records will remain confidential and be deleted by school officials.

At Hanford High, no changes need to be made by spectators. If you haven’t already submitted your ticket request, the deadline to do so at both schools is on June 9.

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Do you have a loved one graduating from high school this year? If so, you’ll want to hear more about this:

KAPP-KVEW Local News and HAPO Community Credit Union are celebrating the high school class of 2021, and time is running out. You have until Friday to submit a photo of yourself or of your favorite grad. Ten grads will be selected at random from all the entries and each gets a $100 gift card from HAPO.

To view the gallery and submit for your chance to win, click here.

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