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. 3/24/2021 Is it COVID-19 or Allergies?3/23/2021 Massachusetts Travel Order ChangesEffective Monday March 22, 2021, Massachusetts has updated the previous travel order to a travel advisory. For details please click here. *While the travel order has now changed to a travel advisory, we ask that if you travel, please make every effort to continue to take precautions recommended by the CDC such as social distancing and mask wearing. The MDPH has just aligned with the CDC-if you are fully vaccinated, you do not need to quarantine if exposed: (https://www.mass.gov/guidance/information-and-guidance-for-persons-in-quarantine-due-to-covid-19)
Updated March 8, 2021 You are required to quarantine (separate yourself) from other people because you have been exposed to the 2019 Novel (New) Coronavirus (SARS-CoV2) the virus that causes COVID-19. If you have COVID-19, you could spread it to people around you and make them sick. Please note that individuals who had COVID-19 in the last 90 days (from day of symptom onset or day of first positive test if asymptomatic), AND individuals who have received either two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines or a single dose of the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, at least 14 days ago but less than 90 days ago, are not required to quarantine following an exposure. And if you are fully vaccinated, you do not have to adhere to the travel orders: (https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order)
12/23/2020 Flu Vaccine Requirement UpdateThe December 31st 2020 deadline for students to receive a flu shot has been extended to February 28th, 2021. Please get your student vaccinated and provide your school nurse with evidence of this season's flu vaccine either with a receipt, note, or immunization report from the medical provider. For more information click here. Please help keep yourself, your loved ones and our community safe by adhering to travel guidelines. As always, please remember social distancing, mask wearing, and good hand hygiene. ***Please be advised that travel guidelines have been updated. Quarantine is now 10 days instead of 14, if you are quarantining instead of testing.*** Per the mass.gov site: All visitors entering Massachusetts, including returning residents, who do not meet an exemption, are required to:
Failure to comply may result in a $500 fine per day. For more information visit: www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order#quarantine-requirement-and-testing-options- 12/3/2020 Guidance for Those in Quarantine
11/20/2020 TRAVEL ADVISORYThe CDC strongly recommends that Americans refrain from traveling for Thanksgiving this year due to the pandemic. Please be advised that if you are planning to travel for the holiday, that all states as of November 21st, 2020 are considered high risk states for travel with the exception of Hawaii and Vermont. Maine and New Hampshire will be added to the list of high risk states effective at 12:01am 11/21/20. WHAT THIS MEANS FOR SCHOOLYou must quarantine upon return to MA for 14 days if you have traveled to a high risk state. You may test out of quarantine by getting a COVID-19 test and provide proof of a negative result within 72 hours of returning. *Children under 10 years of age do not need to be tested upon return from travel, but must stay home from school until their parents negative (PCR) COVID test results are in.
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