COVID Policy from EEC

A rapid antigen test, such as a self-test, is preferred to a PCR test in most situations.

 To count days for isolation, Day 0 is the first day of symptoms OR the day the day

positive test was taken, whichever is earlier.  

 The Commonwealth is not recommending universal mask requirements, surveillance

testing of asymptomatic individuals, contact tracing, or test-to-stay testing in

schools. While masks are not required or recommended in these settings except for in

school health offices, any individual who wishes to continue to mask, including those

who face higher risk from COVID-19, should be supported in that choice.  For those who

need or choose to mask, masking is never required in these settings while the individual

is eating, drinking, sleeping, or outside.

 All individuals are encouraged to stay up-to-date with vaccination as vaccines remain

the best way to help protect yourself and others.

  • Quarantine is no longer required nor recommended for children or staff in

    these settings, regardless of vaccination status or where the exposure occurred. All

    exposed individuals may continue to attend programming as long as they remain

    asymptomatic. Those who can mask should do so until Day 10, and it is recommended

    that they test on Day 6 of exposure. If symptoms develop, follow the guidance for

    symptomatic individuals below.

  • Children and staff who test positive must isolate for at least 5 days. If they

    are asymptomatic or symptoms are resolving, and they have been fever-free without

    using fever-reducing medicine for 24 hours, they may return to programming after Day

    5. They should wear a high-quality mask through Day 10:

    o If the individual is able to mask, they must do so through Day 10.

     If the individual has a negative test on Day 5 or later, they do not need to

    mask.

     If the individual is unable to mask, they may return to programming with

    a negative test on Day 5 or later.

  • Symptomatic individuals can remain in their school or program if they have mild

    symptoms, are tested immediately on site, and that test is negative. Best practice would

    also include wearing a mask, if possible until symptoms are fully resolved. For

    symptomatic individuals, DPH recommends a second test within 48 hours if the initial

    test is negative.

    o If the symptomatic individual cannot be tested immediately, they should be sent

    home and allowed to return to their program or school if symptoms remain mild,

    and they test negative, or they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the

    use of fever-reducing medication, and their symptoms are resolving, or if a

    medical professional makes an alternative diagnosis. A negative test is strongly

    recommended for return.

  • Fever (100.0° Fahrenheit or higher), chills, or shaking

    chills

     Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

     New loss of taste or smell

     Muscle aches or body aches

     Cough (not due to other known causes, such as a

    chronic cough)Sore throat, when in combination

    with other symptoms

     Nausea, vomiting, when in

    combination with other symptoms

     Headache, when in combination

    with other symptoms

     Fatigue, when in combination with

    other symptoms

     Nasal congestion or runny nose

    (not due to other known causes,

    such as allergies), when in

    combination with other symptoms