Peoria, IL, USA 104.9 The Wolf Dalton Kemper/1470-100.3 WMBD PEORIA, Ill. – Health departments and hospitals within the Tri-County area have outlined their recommended COVID-19 prevention strategies ahead of the 2021-22 school year. The local health department officials are recommending school districts require masks be worn indoors by all individuals (age 2 and older) who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The health officials, along with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), are recommending masking and physical distancing. Health officials say currently individuals under the age of 12 are not eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine and this group of students will not be fully vaccinated when they return to in-person learning this fall. The use of masks by those students will reduce the need to quarantine of students who are close contacts in school, and therefore, health officials say, will keep more students learning in-person.