HEALTH

Recommended Protocol for Returning to School

Post-Symptoms with Test

Individuals may return to school after they:

• Have received a negative antigen test result for COVID-19. Note: So long as the individual is not a close contact, if a medical professional makes an alternative diagnosis for the COVID-19-like symptoms, the individual may use this recommendation (e.g., for influenza or strep pharyngitis) in addition to an antigen test.

• Have improvement/resolved symptoms.

• Have been without fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.

Note: If the symptomatic individual was a close contact who is not exempt from testing and quarantine response protocols, after symptoms resolve and they receive a negative antigen test, they should follow Protocol for Test and Stay.

If Test and Stay is not available or the family or adult individual opts not to participate, they follow Protocol for not receiving the test.

Prevention

Good and regular hand hygiene, social distancing, mask wearing, limiting/eliminating shared use of items, and regular cleaning of common areas and individual spaces can all prevent the spread of COVID-19.

CDC recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to schools, regardless of vaccination status.