In a move that seems odd for California, it is choosing to walk back its stance on the previously strict COVID protocols, most notably for students and staff in schools all over the state.
A guidance was put out last week by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) that went officially into effect on the first of July. The mandate to wear masks for all k-12 schools and childcare facilities ended after March 11, but the most recent guidance applies to the 2022-2023 school year.
The new guidance stated that no one can be “prevented from wearing a mask as a condition of participation in an activity or entry into a school, unless wearing a mask would pose a safety hazard,” and schools must have masks available to the kids who do not bring their own mask and choose to wear one.
Additionally, if any student does test positive for COVID, it is advised that they stay out of school for a minimum of five days, and then wear a mask when they are around others for a total of 10 days, most importantly while indoors.
“COVID-19 is here to stay, but we have learned methods and gained tools to decrease its impact on our health and well-being. California’s schools can manage this disease in sustainable and adaptive manners,” the CDPH document read, but it did highlight that these rules are “based on current scientific knowledge and anticipated trends” and are “subject to change, as COVID-19 conditions can shift rapidly and our response in schools must remain nimble and responsive to dynamic challenges.”
The local education and health departments are also able to make or continued additional guidance, “including required actions” for schools and their jurisdictions.
Antigen tests should also be utilized as the primary choice for testing for COVID in school settings, as opposed to the normal PCR tests. Staff and students will need to be tested before actually coming back to school in the wake of any long-duration breaks, read the document. Water fountains will be open for use by students and staff, but will need to be cleaned multiple times throughout the day.
As part of the requirements laid out by the document, employers will still be expected to allow for COVID supplemental paid sick leave for the vast majority of employees out through the 30th of September.
As reported by the NBC Bay Area, students in the state will not be mandated to get a vaccination against COVID until the 1st of July next year, with that date pending with regard to full approval at the federal level for all age groups.