School children wearing face masks.

Schools Reopening Toolkit

Home Health and Wellness COVID-19 UpdateSchools Reopening Toolkit

Children five to 11-years old are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination

Check out our COVID-19 Vaccines page for answers to your questions and to book an appointment!

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Durham Region Health Department is committed to supporting schools in partnership with the local school boards. The following health and safety measures were lifted on March 21, 2022:

Masks will no longer be required for students, staff and visitors in schools, school board offices and on student transportation. Many students and staff may choose to continue to wear masks at times and schools are encouraged to promote respectful, welcoming and inclusive practices and communications within their school communities.
Cohorting and distancing will no longer be required in schools. Assigned seats and cohorting will no longer be required in student transportation.
Daily on-site confirmation of screening for all students and staff will no longer be required. Staff and students should continue to self-screen every day before attending school.

Health and safety measures remaining in place after this date: Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, enhanced cleaning and disinfecting, ventilation measures, and absence reporting.

Please note, due to the Omicron surges (BA.1.1.and BA.2 sub-variants) Durham Region Health Department strongly recommends that students and staff continue to wear a well-fitted three-layer mask in shared indoor spaces.

Is there a self-assessment required before each school day?

Yes. All staff and students must self-screen every day before going to school.
See the online COVID-19 school and child care screening tool.

Personal protective equipment (e.g.: masks, eye protection)

Although masking is no longer required for students, staff and visitors as of March 21, 2022, many people may choose to continue to wear masks at times and schools are encouraged to promote respectful, welcoming and inclusive practices and communications within their school communities.

Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette

What is hand hygiene and why is it important?

Hand hygiene is washing hands with soap and water, or using an alcohol-based hand rub (hand sanitizer).
Appropriate hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette are among the most important protective strategies.
Soap and water is the most effective method when hands are visibly soiled.
Alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) with a minimum 60 per cent alcohol concentration can be used by children. It is effective when hands are not visibly soiled.
Hand hygiene should be done by anyone entering the school and incorporated into the daily schedule at regular times during the day, above and beyond what is usually recommended (for example, before eating food, after using the washroom).

What is respiratory etiquette?

Respiratory etiquette is preventing the spread of germs when coughing and sneezing.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Perform hand hygiene.

Screening, symptoms, and testing

What if my child develops symptoms at school, including before/after school care affiliated with the school?

Parents will be notified to immediately pick-up their child.

Please visit durham.ca/COVIDinfohub for information on isolation requirements for the sick child and their household members.

What if COVID-19 testing is recommended for my child but they are not exposed to a case?

For testing information or questions about isolation, please review our COVID-19 Case and Contact Information Hub.

Student COVID-19 vaccinations

Protect students and the school community from COVID-19. Children 5+ are eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine.

Will there be grade 7 and 8 school-based vaccine clinics for the 2021-2022 school year?

See information about grade 7 and 8 school vaccine clinics

Travel outside of Canada

What if my child travelled outside of Canada and is fully vaccinated against COVID-19?

Fully vaccinated children who have travelled outside of Canada and meet the requirements to be exempt from federal quarantine, are able to attend school.

See COVID-19 vaccinated travellers entering Canada

What if my child travelled outside of Canada and is not fully vaccinated against COVID-19?

Under current federal travel requirements, upon return from international travel, individuals who are NOT fully vaccinated must wear a mask at all times when in public spaces (including schools and child cares) for 14 days, maintain a list of all close contacts for their first 14 days in Canada, and monitor themselves for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

If your child returned to Canada on or after February 28, 2022, and was travelling with a:

Fully vaccinated adult, your child will continue to be exempt from federal quarantine and can attend school or child care.

Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated adult, will continue to be required to follow federal requirements for testing and quarantine and cannot attend school or child care for 14 days.

Credible resources

Health Department fact sheets

Infection prevention and control (IPAC)

Wearing a mask 101

Videos

Mental health and COVID-19

Government guidance documents

Public Health Agency of Canada COVID-19 information in other languages

How to quarantine or isolate at home if you have or may have COVID-19

Arabic Farsi Tamil Urdu

Care at home for those who have or may have been exposed to COVID-19

Arabic Farsi Tamil Urdu

Local school boards

For specific reopening information and answers to frequently asked questions, visit your school board's website:

For private schools, colleges and universities, please refer to your school website.

Connect with us

Visit our COVID-19 Update page for additional resident and health-related information.

Durham Health Connection Line is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please hang up and dial 911.