Fort Bend ISD is now allowing students to play on playground structures and share recess equipment, according to an update posted to the district's website April 22.

The district is basing its updated guidelines off recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which indicated students can use recess equipment and playgrounds without spreading COVID-19 as long as mitigation strategies are in place, the release said.

Campuses will limit playground and equipment use to one class at a time. Students will wash or sanitize their hands before and after playing on the playground, and all recess equipment will be sanitized between uses.

In the release, FBISD cited the importance of recess for elementary-age students' mental, emotional and physical well-being.