The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has updated their quarantine guidance for close contacts in the school setting, effective April 20th, 2021. This guidance was approved by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, after consultation with the Governor's Medical Advisory Board. UPDATE: "Close contacts who were exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual in the classroom or on the bus while both individuals were masked do not have to quarantine unless they were within 3 feet of distance of the COVID-19 positive individual for a total of 15 minutes during a 24-hour period. This does not apply if someone was identified as a close contact outside of the classroom or bus (e.g., in sports, extra-curriculars, lunch, etc.) or if masks are not worn by both persons at the time of the exposure. All other close contacts must follow the standard protocol for when a close contact may return to school." Please note that your child's school will notify you if your child was within 3-6 feet of a COVID-19 positive individual for 15 minutes or more. Your child would not be required to quarantine under this new guidance. The full guidance is posted on the COVID-19 guidance page and available for download. |