Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Regarding Reopening Schools During COVID-19

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Solano County Office of Education

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Regarding Reopening Schools During COVID-19 Published 08-28-2020

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FAQs for the 2020-21 School Year Working together to keep Solano school staff and students healthy

Contents Background & Current Guidance

3

FAQs for Schools Administrators

4-8

COVID-19 Action Table for Schools

9

FAQs for Parents & Guardians

10-12

Introduction The Solano County Office of Education is committed to supporting Solano schools and other county agencies throughout the emergency response to COVID-19 in California.

Solano County Office of Education has partnered with Solano County Public Health in developing this document which is a collaborative collection of FAQs and current California Department of Public Health (CDPH) guidelines. Mandates from the State of California supercede guidelines made at the local level. Health orders, state pandemic plans, and CDPH industry guidance may change in response to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 FAQs for Schools

Solano County Office of Education

Background & Current Guidance Distance Learning On August 28, 2020, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) unveiled the Blueprint for a Safer Economy COVID-19 guidance which specifies what sector activities are allowable and to what extent, based upon COVID-19 data for each county.

California Department of Education (CDE) Guidance CDE has created the Guidebook for the Safe Reopening of California's Public Schools resource for public schools.

The Latest COVID-19 Guidance & Resources California Department of Public Health (CDPH)COVID-19 INDUSTRY GUIDANCE: Schools and School-Based Programs, updated August 3, 2020 Guidance on Returning to Work or School Following COVID-19 Diagnosis, published August 24, 2020 Guidance for Small Cohorts/ Groups of Children and Youth, published August 25, 2020 COVID-19 Case and Contact Management Within Child Care Facilities, published August 25, 2020 COVID-19 and Reopening InPerson Learning Framework for K-12 Schools in California, 20202021 School Year, published July 17, 2020 CDPH & Cal/OSHACOVID-19 General Checklist for Schools and School-Based Programs, published July 17, 2020

The Blueprint for a Safer Economy plan features a tiered system; as of August 31, 2020, Solano County is listed in Tier 1. Schools in counties within Tier 1 are not permitted to reopen for inperson instruction, with an exception for waivers granted by local health departments for TK-6 grades. Schools that are practicing distance learning may provide structured, in-person supervision and services to students under the Guidance for Small Cohorts/ Groups of Children and Youth.

Schools are eligible for reopening fully for in-person instruction following California school sector specific guidelines once the county is off Tier 1 for 14 days.

Face Covering Requirements for Schools

In order to comply with this guidance, schools must exclude students from campus if they are not exempt from wearing a face covering under CDPH guidelines and refuse to wear one provided by the school. Schools should provide a face covering to students who inadvertently fail to bring a face covering to school to prevent unnecessary exclusions.

For Staff All staff must use face coverings in accordance with CDPH guidelines unless Cal/OSHA standards require respiratory protection.

In limited situations where a face coverings cannot be used for pedagogical or developmental reasons, (i.e. communicating or assisting young children or those with special needs) a face shield can be used instead of a cloth face covering while in the classroom as long as the wearer maintains physical distance from others, to the extent practicable.

Staff must return to wearing a face covering outside of the classroom.

Workers or other persons handling or serving food must use gloves in addition to face coverings.

On August 3, 2020 the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) updated the COVID-19 INDUSTRY GUIDANCE for Schools and SchoolBased Programs. This document describes the following requirements: For Students Students in 3rd grade and above are required to wear a face covering, unless exempt as defined by the CDPH Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings. Face coverings are strongly encouraged for young children between two years old and second grade, if they can be worn properly. A face shield is an acceptable alternative for children in this cohort who cannot wear them properly. Children under two years old should not wear masks.

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COVID-19 FAQs for Schools

Solano County Office of Education

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions for School Administrators Guidance is based upon information available as of August 31, 2020.

Recommendations are subject to change.

What is the recommended procedure for handling staff/students who become ill or symptomatic at school?

As was the case before COVID-19, any student, staff, or faculty with symptoms of illness should be sent home. For emergent (i.e. suspect symptomatic) cases, the individual should be taken to an isolated location with sufficient distance from others (6 or more feet), preferably in a separate room, while awaiting transportation. A positive case needs to be isolated (at home or an appropriate alternate location) for the requisite time period. It should be recommended that the person in question be tested for COVID-19. See COVID-19 Action Table.

What are the expected reporting procedures to Solano County Public Health, specifically for contact tracing and potentially quarantining students, staff, or entire cohorts?

School or district administration should contact Solano County Public Health to report staff or students who have self-reported with COVID-19 disease. Solano Public Health will assist with implementation of case investigation and contact tracing, and may contact the school if necessary to assist with these activities. Solano Public Health will provide instructions to the individual regarding isolation and return to school. Schools should follow the actions in the COVID-19 Action Table.

What contact number for Solano Public Health should be used and included in the written, worksitespecific COVID-19 prevention plan at every facility, when communicating information about COVID-19 outbreaks among students or staff?

Schools should contact the Solano Public Health Communicable Disease Main Line (24/7 Line) at (707) 784-8001 to notify of self-reported COVID-19 confirmed positive cases by students or staff. School administrators can leave messages on this monitored line.

Should schools/districts notify Solano Public Health if a family member of a student or staff member self-reports positive COVID-19 tests results?

No. Solano Public Health and Primary Care Providers will be notified through testing mechanisms and will provide isolation and quarantine instructions for patients. Schools should follow actions detailed in the COVID-19 Action Table under "Close Contact with a Confirmed COVID-19 Case". The exception would be if the family member had close contact with numerous persons in a school cohort; Solano Public Health should then be contacted.

SOLANO COUNTY

Will staff or students diagnosed with COVID-19 need any documents to return to school?

No. Solano County Public Health does not require any documentation for staff or students diagnosed with COVID-19 to return to school. Districts may or may not request documentation.

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COVID-19 FAQs for Schools

Solano County Office of Education

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions for School Administrators Continued

What information is available for employees regarding COVID-19 benefits?

According to the CDPH COVID-19 Industry Guidance for Schools, schools and districts should provide information for staff regarding labor laws, Disability Insurance, Paid Family Leave and Unemployment Insurance, as applicable to schools. See additional information on government programs supporting sick leave and worker’s compensation for COVID-19, including worker’s sick leave rights under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and employee’s rights to workers’ compensation benefits and presumption of the work-relatedness of COVID-19 pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order N-62-20, while that Order is in effect.

What are the privacy and communication guidelines when a positive case is confirmed?

Communication from Solano Public Health regarding cases of COVID-19 disease will adhere to applicable medical confidentiality requirements. The CDPH COVID-19 Industry Guidance for Schools states that schools should maintain communication systems that allow staff and families to self-report symptoms and receive prompt notifications of exposures and closures while maintaining confidentiality, as required

by Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) and state law related to the privacy of educational records. The US Department of Education issued the FERPA & Coronavirus 2019 FAQs for reference. Schools may want to solicit legal guidance regarding which laws are applicable for each school and under which circumstances.

If a parent is diagnosed with COVID-19 will their student need to self-isolate 14 days prior to returning to school? How will the schools know when the student is OK to return?

If a parent or family (household) member of a student or staff, is diagnosed with COVID-19, the student or staff, respectively, will be quarantined for the requisite time period. The student or staff will be given instruction by Solano Public Health regarding the date on which they may return to school. The school will not be specifically notified. To the extent possible, schools should follow actions detailed in the COVID-19 Action Table under "Close Contact with a Confirmed COVID-19 Case". Solano Public Health recommends symptomatic close contacts to self-isolate. Those who are asymptomatic close contacts who are part of a stable cohort may self-quarantine.

Is there a recommended number of students in a class based on student age and room size?

Solano County Public Health has not established set cohort numbers or group size when schools return to in-person instruction. Currently, the number of students permissible in one space is based upon the instructor’s ability to assure the safety of the students and maintain social distancing. This is intended to allow for flexibility accommodating the broad range of abilities and age ranges of students. During distance learning, limited in-person instruction is allowed for reasons such as assessments. In these instance, CDPH has issued Guidance for Small Cohorts/Groups of Children and Youth, limiting cohorts to up to 14 students and two supervising adults.

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COVID-19 FAQs for Schools

FAQs

Solano County Office of Education

Frequently Asked Questions for School Administrators Continued

Are teachers currently permitted by the local health officer to meet periodically with small groups of students in-person for orientations or to perform tasks like individual assessments?

Currently, teachers are permitted to periodically meet with small groups of students in-person, for orientations or to perform tasks like individual assessments, so long as social distancing guidelines are followed. This includes: face coverings, 6-foot physical distance, hand washing, health screenings, etc. The CDPH Guidance for Small Cohorts/Groups of Children and Youth should be followed.

If asked, where should schools/districts refer employees or community members for COVID-19 testing?

If asked where COVID-19 tests can be obtained, HR departments should suggest symtopmatic employees contact their Primary Care Providers (PCP) for COVID-19 testing. If testing is not available through the PCP, residents can access the State-Operated Community Testing Sites in Solano County and various pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, and Rite-Aid. Continue to check the Solano Public Health website for updates on testing availability in Solano County.

Are drop-ins available at community testing sites in Solano County?

Currently, testing is by appointment only. Online applications for appointments can be scheduled at lhi.care/covidtesting or individuals without internet access can call 888-634-1123.

On average, how long does it take to receive COVID-19 test results?

Depending on caseload, asymptomatic persons may be scheduled out more than 10 days for a testing appointment. Results for COVID-19 tests may also take 10 days or more. Priority may be given by severity of symptoms, profession, etc.

What is considered close contact for contract tracing?

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Solano Public Health define a close contact as any individual: • within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes while either person is unmasked • who provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19, who had direct physical contact with the infected person (touched, hugged, or kissed them) • who shared eating or drinking utensils with an infected person • who somehow got exposed to respiratory droplets from an infected person

Does periodic COVID-19 testing for staff and students ensure that the persons tested cannot become infectious?

No. The incubation period for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) is 14 days. A person who is exposed to COVID-19 may test negative on a Friday and develop symptoms or become infectious the following Saturday. Ideally, a person who has been exposed to COVID-19 should get testing after symptoms develop or near the end of the 14 day incubation period. Exposed persons should quarantine for 14 days as well. See Solano Public Health quarantine guidance for more information.

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COVID-19 FAQs for Schools

Solano County Office of Education

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions for School Administrators

Are the following precautions necessary?

• Taking temperatures of students and staff prior to allowing them on campus

No, this is not necessary. Some districts may require that people take their own temperature prior to arriving at the school setting.

• Disinfecting materials and supplies between student and/or staff use

Items may be cleaned in between uses and people should wash hands before/after using materials and supplies.

The chance of transmission through inanimate surfaces is very small, and only in instances where an infected person coughs or sneezes on the surface and someone else touches that surface within 1-2 hours after. To err on the side of caution, periodic disinfection of high-touch surfaces is warranted, but only as feasible. Consider not using shared materials and clean shared materials if they are visibly wet.

• Disinfecting classrooms between an AM/PM in-person session

If the same cohort is using the area, the space doesn’t need to be cleaned. If a new cohort comes into the classroom in the PM, then the desks and chairs may be wiped down after use, similar to above.

• Shutting off all water fountains

Encourage students and staff to bring their own water bottles for use whenever possible.

• Meetings held outdoors if possible

If social distancing can be maintained, the meetings may be held outdoors or indoors. Virtual meetings are also an option.

• Wearing a mask at all times even when alone in a classroom or office

Wear a mask in common areas and when social distancing cannot be maintained.

• Wearing a mask even if you are over 6 feet away from another person Wear a mask in common areas.

• N95 masks for physical education teachers

N95 masks are not warranted in the school setting. Maintain social distancing, and facial coverings should be worn, especially if distancing cannot be maintained.

• N95 masks for other staff members who may be exposed to more than one cohort of children

N95 masks are not warranted in the school setting. Maintain social distancing, and facial coverings should be worn, especially if distancing cannot be maintained.

• Sanitizing assessment tools for both the proctor and the student after each use Wash hands prior and after use. Sanitize items as needed.

• Students, employees, and visitors required to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer upon arrival to their classroom, office, or common area, and every time a classroom is entered No. However, hand washing is always a good practice.

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COVID-19 FAQs for Schools

Solano County Office of Education

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions for School Administrators

FAQs During Distance Learning Do current health orders from Solano County and California allow staff to: • teach from their classrooms without students present?

Yes, teachers may return to the school and teach. Teachers and other school personnel need to maintain social distancing and wear a facial covering when distancing cannot be maintained.

• meet individually or with small groups of students?

Yes, staff may meet with students individually and in smalls groups in accordance with the CDPH Guidance for Small Cohorts/Groups of Children and Youth. Social distancing must be maintained, and facial coverings should be worn, especially if distancing cannot be maintained. The area should be cleaned between sessions.

• hold small in-person meetings?

Yes, social distancing must be maintained and facial coverings should be worn, especially if distancing cannot be maintained. The area should be cleaned between sessions.

• work together in an office?

Yes, social distancing must be maintained and/or facial coverings should be worn, if distancing cannot be maintained. Staff who are inetrfacing with the public should wear facial coverings.

• provide child care on school campuses during the school day?

Yes, please refer to the current child care guidance from Solano Public Health.

• distribute materials and supplies to students and families?

Yes, social distancing must be maintained and facial coverings should be worn, especially if distancing cannot be maintained.

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COVID-19 FAQs for Schools

Solano County Office of Education

What measures should be taken when a student or staff member has symptoms, has been in close contact with someone infected, or is diagnosed with COVID-19?

Additions, specific to Solano County have been included to the grid framework featured in the California Department of Public Health (CDPH)COVID-19 and Reopening In-Person Learning Framework for K-12 Schools in California, 2020-2021 School Year, published July 17, 2020.

COVID-19 Action Table for Solano Schools Student or Staff With: 1.

Action to be Taken:

COVID-19 Symptoms • (e.g., fever, cough, loss of taste or smell, difficulty • breathing) See CA School Sector Specific Guidelines •

Person will be immediately sent home. Persons waiting for transportation will wait in isolated space Recommend COVID-19 testing with Primary Care Provider or State operated community testing sites in Solano County. (If positive, see #3, if negative, see #4) School and classroom remain open

2. Close contact (†) with a confirmed COVID-19 case

• • • •

Person will be immediately sent home.

Person will be quarantined (††) for 14 days from last exposure Recommend COVID-19 testing.

School and classroom remain open

3. Confirmed COVID-19 case infection

•

•

When families/staff self-report COVID-19 positivity to school administration, the local public health department will be notified Person should immediately isolate (†††) and must stay home from school for 10 days from symptom onset or test date Identify contacts (†), quarantine and exclude exposed contacts for 14 days after the last date the COVID-19 positive person was present at school while infectious Thorough disinfection and cleaning of classroom and primary spaces where person spent significant time with EPA approved N List products School and classroom remain open

• •

May return to school when symptom-free or back to baseline School and classroom remain open

• • •

4. Negative test result for COVID-19 after having symptoms

(†) A contact is defined as a person who is less than 6 feet from a COVID-19 positive person for more than 15 minutes. In some school situations, it may be difficult to determine whether individuals have met this criterion and an entire cohort, classroom, or other group may need to be considered exposed, particularly if people have spent time together indoors. (††) Quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others. Quarantine helps prevent spread of disease that can occur before a person knows they are sick. People in quarantine should stay home, separate themselves from others, monitor their health, and follow directions from their state or local health department. (†††) Isolation separates people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick. Health care providers and public health agencies will determine when a specific individual who has COVID-19 can end isolation. In general, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that a person with COVID-19 illness can discontinue isolation 10 days after symptom onset, and no fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications, and with improvement of other symptoms. For persons who never develop symptoms, isolation and other precautions can be discontinued 10 days after the date of their first positive RT-PCR test.

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COVID-19 FAQs for Schools

Solano County Office of Education

Frequently Asked Questions for Parents & Guardians Guidance is based upon information available as of August 31, 2020.

Recommendations are subject to change.

FAQs

What are the current orders from the State regarding distance learning?

On July 17, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled the Pandemic Plan for Learning and Safe Schools that included mandates for public schools based upon the state’s county monitoring data. The newly issued orders require that schools located in counties on the state’s County Monitoring List must begin the school year with distance learning. As of August 1, 2020, Solano County is on the state’s County Monitoring List.

How long will Solano school campuses need to stay closed to in-person instruction?

Schools located in counties that are on the Monitoring List must not physically open for in-person instruction until their county has come off the Monitoring List for 14 consecutive days. (†)

What if Solano County comes off of the Monitoring List for more than 14 consecutive days and then returns to the Monitoring List? If my child's school has restarted in-person instruction, will the school be required to return to distance learning again?

No. Once schools have been permitted to restart in-person instruction, the state will allow the school to remain open, so long as the COVID-19 positivity rates for the school or district remain below the state thresholds. Schools within counties that return to the Monitoring List are encouraged to increase staff testing as local testing capacity allows.

Could my child's classroom be closed for in-person learning?

According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), when a student has confirmed COVID-19 and was at school during his or her infectious period, other students and staff who had close contact with the COVID-19 positive student during the infectious period should be quarantined for 14 days. A classroom or cohort may be quarantined and sent home for up to 14 days.

What are the state's criteria for closing schools that have returned to in-person instruction?

According to CPDH, individual school closure is recommended based on the number of cases, the percentage of teacher/students/staff that are positive for COVID-19, and following consultation with the Local Health Officer.

Individual school closure may be appropriate when there are multiple cases in multiple cohorts at a school or when at least 5 percent of the total number of teachers/student/staff are positive cases within a 14-day period, depending on the size and physical layout of the school. The Local Health Officer may also determine school closure is warranted for other reasons, including results from public health investigation or other local epidemiological data.

(†) Local elementary schools may request a waiver from the local health officer to allow elementary schools to reopen in-person instruction if the waiver is requested by the district superintendent, in consultation with labor, parents, and community-based organizations.

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COVID-19 FAQs for Schools

Solano County Office of Education

Frequently Asked Questions for Parents & Guardians continued

FAQs

What are the state's criteria for closing a school district from in-person instruction?

Current CDPH guidance states that a district should close if 25% or more of schools in a district have closed due to COVID-19 within 14 days, and in consultation with the local public health department.

Will students and staff be required to wear face coverings at school?

In the updated state guidance, all staff and students in 3rd grade and above will be required to wear a mask or face covering. Students in 2nd grade and below are strongly encouraged to wear a face covering. Students should be provided a face covering if they do not have one. Face coverings must be used in accordance with CDPH Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings unless a person is exempt as explained in the guidelines.

Should children two years old and younger wear face coverings?

No. These very young children must not wear a face covering because of the risk of suffocation.

What should parents/guardians do if a family member within the household is sick with COVID-like symptoms or confirmed positive for COVID-19?

Parents should contact their Primary Care Provider or reference the Solano Public Health website (featuring testing sites available) for guidance on COVID-19 testing, quarantine and isolation durations. Parents are encouraged to notify their school administrator as soon as possible.

If a parent is diagnosed with COVID-19 will their student need to self-isolate days prior to returning to school? How will the schools know when the student is OK to return?

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If a parent or family (household) member of a studentor staff is diagnosed with COVID-19, the student or staff will be given instruction by Solano Public Health regarding the date on which they may return to school. The school will not be specifically notified.

What is a student cohort?

SOLANO COUNTY

A cohort is a stable group with the same students that all stay together for all courses and activities (e.g., lunch, recess, etc.) and avoids contact with other persons or cohorts. Cohorts may be used to reduce possible COVID-19 exposure.

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COVID-19 FAQs for Schools

Solano County Office of Education

Frequently Asked Questions for Parents & Guardians Continued What is the difference between quarantine and isolation?

FAQs

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others. Quarantine helps prevent spread of disease that can occur before a person knows they are sick. People in quarantine should stay home, separate themselves from others, monitor their health, and follow directions from their state or local health department.

Isolation separates people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick. Health care providers and public health agencies will determine when a specific individual who has COVID-19 can end isolation.

How long should a person quarantine after having close contact with a COVID-19 confirmed person?

Health care providers and public health agencies will determine when a specific individual should end quarantine. In general, the CDC recommends 14 days of quarantine from the date an individual was exposed to an infectious person.

*DA TE OF LAST CLOS E CON TACT WITH PER SON WHO HAS COV ID-1 9 + 14DAYS = LAST DAY OF QUA RAN TINE

SUN

*A CLOS E CON TACT MAY RETU RN TO WOR K ON THE 15TH DAY, IF THEI R SYMP TOM S HAVE IMPR OVED .

TUE

WED

THU

1

5

12

19

How long should a COVID-19 positive person isolate?

MON

26

6

13

20

27

7

14

21

28

8

15

22

29

FRI

2

9

16

23

30

SAT

3

10

17

24

4

11

18

25

31

Again, health care providers and public health will determine when a specific individual is no longer contagious and can end isolation.

In general, CDC recommends that a person with COVID-19 illness can discontinue isolation 10 days after symptom onset, and no fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications, and with improvement of other symptoms. For persons who never develop symptoms, isolation and other precautions can be discontinued 10 days after the date of their first positive COVID-19 test.

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