Important Updated COVID-19 Guidance

The following page contains information regarding:

• Links to NJDOH guidance and CDC
• Testing Positive for COVID-19
• Close Contact of a Positive Case
• What to do When on Quarantine
• Household Contacts
• Preschool Childcare Guidance / Boys and Girls Club
• Short-term Home Instruction Dates

Highlights of the changes are posted below.

Link to NJ Department of Health Guidance Updated January 12, 2022, and CDC

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bgw0ICP628AEU5GFJKK189M5OdQvzaVc/view?usp=sharing

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-contact-tracing/about-isolation.html

Testing Positive For COVID-19

1. Persons who test positive for COVID-19 and are symptomatic or persons with COVID-19 symptoms who weren’t tested or who are waiting for test results:
   • Stay home and isolate from other people for at least 5 full days (day 0 is the first day of symptoms).
     • If symptoms resolve (fever-free for 24 hours and other symptoms improve), isolation can end after 5 full days (i.e., on day 6).
     • If symptoms persist (fever or if other symptoms have not improved), continue to isolate until fever-free for 24 hours and other symptoms have improved.
2. Persons who test positive for COVID-19 but have no symptoms:
   • Stay home and isolate from other people for at least 5 full days (day 0 is the day of the positive viral test).
     • If no symptoms develop, isolation can end after 5 full days (i.e., on day 6).
     • If symptoms develop within one week of the positive test, the 5-day isolation period starts over, with day 0 being the first day of symptoms. Follow recommendations above for ending isolation for persons who have COVID-19 symptoms.

Students returning to school on days 6 through 10 must wear a well-fitted mask when around others through day 10. During times in the school day when students may typically remove masks indoors (such as during lunches, snacks, band practice, etc.), to the extent possible, students will be adequately distanced from others. They will wear their masks when not actively participating in these activities (such as when they are not actively eating). Students who are unable to wear a mask when around others should stay home and isolate from other people for a full 10 days.

Close Contacts of a Positive Case:

Unvaccinated students must quarantine if they come into close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Close contact for students in a school setting is defined as less than 3 feet when students are wearing masks or within 6 feet if not wearing masks for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.

Fully vaccinated students or those who had COVID-19 in the last 90 days DO NOT have to quarantine unless they show symptoms. Though the CDC and NJDOH are distinguishing between 18 and older and 5-17-year-olds in their recommendations, we treat all students the same, so booster shots are not required for students to skip quarantine.

When on Quarantine:

1. Stay home and away from other people for at least 5 days (day 0 through day 5) after the last close contact with a person who has COVID-19. The date of the exposure is considered day 0.
• If COVID-19 symptoms develop, get tested and follow isolation recommendations.
• If asymptomatic, get tested at least 5 days after the last close contact.
  • If the test is positive, follow isolation recommendations.
  • If the test is negative, you can end quarantine after day 5.
  • If testing is not available, you can end quarantine after day 5 (as long as there were no COVID-19 symptoms throughout the 5-day period).
2. Continue to wear a well-fitted mask when around others through day 10. For those ending isolation on day 5, this would be during days 6 through 10. Persons who are unable to wear a mask when around others should stay home and quarantine from other people for a full 10 days. Continue to monitor for symptoms.

Household Contacts

Circumstances involving household contacts are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. While the timeframe for household contacts has been shortened in the new guidance, quarantine times must be discussed with your school nurse.

Preschool / Childcare

Preschool is covered under the guidance for childcare centers. Preschool guidance also differs from the quarantine timeframes above. Please contact your school principal for preschool-specific information. 

Boys and Girls Club also falls under the guidance for child care centers. Boys and Girls Club conducts its own contact tracing and notifications. However, if you are quarantined by the district and allowed to return under the new 5-day quarantine for school, you must contact the Boys and Girls Club to determine your return date to Boys and Girls Club programs. 

Please continue to report students who test positive for COVID-19 or who have COVID-like symptoms to the school nurse at your child’s respective building. Please contact your child’s building attendance office so we can provide appropriate instructional options while they are out of school.

Short Term Home Instruction Extended through January 21st

The asynchronous short-term home instruction option for Covid-19 health concerns that was offered to families will be extended through January 21st. All students previously registered for this option are expected to return to school on January 24th but are encouraged to return sooner. All work assigned in the Google Classroom is due according to the teacher-determined timelines to receive credit. No further requests for “short-term home instruction” are being taken. Parents requesting health-related accommodation must follow the full medical home instruction process starting with your Principal.

The New Jersey Department of Education is not allowing a full remote option at this time unless a classroom, school, or district must quarantine or close for three or more days. Students who are currently symptomatic, tested positive, awaiting test results, or recently quarantined should follow district quarantine guidelines above. Students quarantined by the district DO NOT need to apply for short-term home instruction. Quarantined students will be notified of instructional procedures by their school.