Modified Covid-19 and Quarantine FAQ

• What are the new recommendations announced by the CDC for shortened quarantine periods? 

If you need to quarantine. Options that can be considered, include stopping quarantine

• On day 10 without testing

• On day 7 after receiving a negative test result (test must occur on day 5 or later)

• After stopping quarantine, you should

• Watch for symptoms until 14 days after exposure.

• If you have symptoms, immediately self-isolate and contact your local public health authority or healthcare provider.

• Wear a mask, stay at least 6 feet from others, wash their hands, avoid crowds, and take other steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

PLEASE WORK WITH YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL TO HELP DETERMINE QUARANTINE TIMELINE, AND  APPROPRIATE TESTING DATES IF YOU CHOOSE THAT OPTION

• What do Governor Parson’s and the Department of Health and Senior Services/ Department of Elementary and Secondary Education changes mean?

If your student is exposed to someone who is positive for Covid-19 while at school AND both parties are wearing a mask, your student has the option to continue to monitor for symptoms, but attend school during the quarantine timeline. If your child is exposed, you will still be contacted by the district and options for quarantining at home or continuing to attend school, along with timelines will be reviewed. 

• Who determines if a mask was worn appropriately?

Our administrators who are conducting the contact tracing are asking those questions as part of their investigation. If there is any doubt that masks were worn correctly when there was a positive case in school, they are erring on the side of caution and issuing a standard quarantine. 

• What types of face coverings are considered acceptable? 

Based on recommendations from  the CDC, DHSS, and DESE, face masks are required for a close contact to be considered for a modified quarantine. Face shields and/or gaiters are not considered appropriate for a modified quarantine and students wearing these will have to complete a standard quarantine. 

• Can students in a modified quarantine participate in extra-curricular and co-curricular activities?

No. Per the joint guidance of the Department of Health and Senior Services and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, students in a modified quarantine are permitted to go to and from home for the regular school day only. They may not participate in activities before or after school, including school sports and clubs.

• Do students in modified quarantine need to quarantine outside of school?

Yes, the only change per quarantine guidelines is that your student can attend school, they are expected to continue to quarantine at home outside of school hours.