02/01/2023

Updates will be made to this page as new guidelines are made available.

COVID-19 Green Phase Class Resumption Guidelines

COVID-19 is mostly spread by respiratory droplets released when people talk, cough, or sneeze. It is thought that the virus may spread to hands from a contaminated surface and then to the nose or mouth, causing infection (CDC, 2020). Therefore, personal prevention practices (such as hand washing and staying home when sick) and environmental prevention practices (such as cleaning and disinfection) are important principles that are covered in these guidelines.

Promoting Behaviors that Reduce Spread

Stay Home or Self-Isolate when Appropriate

• Students and staff who have tested positive for COVID-19, must isolate for 5 days from the date of their positive test date. The date of the positive test result or the first day of symptoms is considered day zero (0). After 5 days, if they are asymptomatic or their symptoms are resolving – (without fever for 24 hours without fever reducers) they may return to the school. Upon return to the school, for 5 days, they must wear a well-fitting mask when around others. The mask must be a surgical or KN95 mask, not a cloth mask.
• Students and staff who came into close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 must monitor for symptoms and test for COVID-19 five days after exposure.
• Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Some symptoms include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea. This list does not include all possible symptoms.
• Please visit the CDC symptom tool to help you make decisions and seek appropriate medical care https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html
• If traveling out of the state, self-monitor for symptoms and get tested if you develop symptoms.

Face Coverings

• It is highly recommended that all who enter the school use a face covering, regardless of vaccination status.
• Wearing a mask is required for anyone experiencing respiratory symptoms, lives with someone experiencing respiratory symptoms, or are within their 5 days of returning from having COVID-19.  
• Wash your hands before putting on your face covering.
• Put it over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin. Fit it snugly against the sides of your face but make sure you can breathe easily. Don’t touch the face covering and, if you do, wash your hands.
• If you are having trouble breathing or are getting too hot with the face covering, please excuse yourself from the building to get fresh air.
• Note: Cloth face coverings should not be placed on children younger than 2 years old.

Hand Hygiene and Respiratory Etiquette

• Everyone is encouraged to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow. Used tissues should be thrown in the trash and hands washed immediately with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol can be used.

Social Distancing

• Students are asked to be mindful of social distancing.
• Break and lunch times will be staggered in order to minimize person-to-person contact. Students are asked not to congregate but instead to maintain proper distancing when utilizing spaces such as the kitchen, library, and student center.

The informational sections provided on this document were collected from the CDC and DOH websites. All policies and procedures were developed as guided by their recommendations as well as Governor Tom Wolf’s orders. For more information related to COVID-19 please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Reference

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), (2020). Coronavirus (COVID-19). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), (2020). Isolate if you are sick. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/isolation.html

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania The Governor, (2020) Process to reopen Pennsylvania. Retrieved from https://www.governor.pa.gov/process-to-reopen-pennsylvania/

PA Department of Health (DOH), (2020). Coronavirus (COVID-19). Retrieved from https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx

PA Department of Health (DOH), (2020). COVID-19 information for travelers. Retrieved from https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Travelers.aspx