He can say whatever he wants but a VA state law says otherwise and the school districts will follow CDC guidance on wearing masks. So, yes, elections have consequences.
The
law requires local school boards to offer in-person instruction to students, with limited exceptions. The
bill also says school districts should "provide such in-person instruction in a manner in which it adheres, to the maximum extent practicable, to any currently applicable mitigation strategies for early childhood care and education programs and elementary and secondary schools to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 that have been provided by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."