Schools Reopening Toolkit

The Health Department is continuing to work with school board partners and the Ministry of Education on this initiative.

Students in grades 1 to 12 will be required to wear a non-medical or cloth mask indoors in school at all times, including in hallways and during classes, in before and after school programs and on school transportation. Masks are also required outdoors during recess where physical distancing cannot be maintained (recess, physical education, walking to school with non-household members). Students in kindergarten are not required, but are strongly encouraged to wear a mask.

Students are encouraged to practice wearing masks and learn what type of mask is most comfortable for them.

Wearing a mask 101: Tips for parents

How to keep safe while using your non-medical face mask or face covering

• Students may wear their own non-medical masks, and non-medical masks will also be made available for students. Two-layer masks are acceptable but three-layer masks are preferred.
• All school-based staff will be required to wear medical masks. Medical masks and eye protection (e.g. face shield, goggles) will be required for all teachers and other staff of school boards if physical distance of 2 metres from others cannot be maintained consistently. School-based staff who are regularly in close contact with students will be provided with all appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

Symptoms of COVID-19

• fever and/or chills (temperature of 37.8°C or greater)
• cough/ barking cough (croup)
• shortness of breath
• sore throat
• difficulty swallowing
• changes to sense of taste or smell
• nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
• headache
• extreme tiredness or muscle aches
• runny nose/congested nose (not caused by seasonal allergies)

Atypical symptoms of COVID-19 should be considered, particularly in children, older persons, and people living with a developmental disability. Atypical symptoms can include:

• feeling tired, unwell
• delirium (sudden altered mental status and inattention)
• unexplained or increased number of falls
• sudden functional decline
• exacerbation of chronic conditions
• chills
• headaches
• pink eye
• multisystem inflammatory vasculitis in children, which includes persistent fever, abdominal pain, pink eye, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and rash.

All staff, students, and essential visitors must self-screen every day before attending school. Signs should be posted at entrances to the school to remind students, staff, parents/caregivers, and essential visitors of screening requirements. The principal or their designate are responsible for ensuring all staff and essential visitors entering school property have completed and passed their daily COVID self-screen.

In addition to the requirement for students to perform daily self-screening, secondary schools are expected to have a process in place to validate the daily self-screening of students prior to or upon their arrival at school. At a minimum, all staff, essential visitors, and secondary students are required to complete and provide daily confirmation/proof in a form deemed appropriate and accessible by the local school/school board (e.g. proof of completed paper copy of screener, mobile application indicating a "pass"), prior to/upon entry to school.

Any visitor, staff or student that does not pass the on-site screening procedures will be asked to return home and self-isolate until they meet the criteria for return.

At the advice of the local public health unit, schools and school boards may choose to implement additional on-site screening measures based on local circumstances. Follow up with your school/school board for details.

Access the online COVID-19 school screening tool.

1. Complete the Lakeridge Health online assessment form at covidswab.lh.ca to get an appointment at the COVID-19 Assessment Clinic.
2. Contact Durham Health Connection Line 905-668-2020 or 1-800-841-2729.

Note: The COVID-19 Assessment Clinic does not accept walk-ins.

All students must self-screen every day using the online screening tool before arriving at school. If a student is experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, they must stay home from school and should seek testing and appropriate medical attention.

If your child is has one or more new or worsening symptom(s) (should not be chronic or related to other known causes or conditions) of:

• fever and/or chills
• cough
• shortness of breath
• decrease or loss of smell or taste
• feeling unwell, muscle aches, or tired
• stuffy or runny nose
• headache
• sore throat or difficulty swallowing
• nausea, vomiting or diarrhea

Your child must stay home and self-isolate until:

They get a negative COVID-19 test result, are fever free for at least 24 hours, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea free for 48 hours, and all other symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours.

OR

They receive an alternative diagnosis from a health care provider and are fever free for at least 24 hours, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea free for 48 hours, and all other symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours.

OR

It has been 10 days since the symptoms started and are fever free for at least 24 hours, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea free for 48 hours, and all other symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours.

Household members, including siblings, must stay home and isolate until the symptomatic individual:

Receives a negative COVID-19 test result.

OR

Receives an alternative diagnosis from a health care provider.

*If the symptomatic person is not tested, does not receive an alternative diagnosis or tests positive, all household members must isolate for 14 days from their last contact with the symptomatic person.

Stay home and isolate immediately and follow the advice of public health if:

• Your child or anyone in your household has travelled outside of Canada in the past 14 days.
• Your child has been identified as a close contact of someone who is confirmed as having COVID-19.
• Your child has been directed by a health care provider and/or public health to isolate.
• Medical notes or proof of negative tests are not required for students/staff to return to school.

For instructions while waiting for COVID-19 test results please refer to Facts about... COVID-19: Instructions for individuals tested for COVID-19.

See Facts about... COVID-19 school and child care screening, Facts about...  Self-monitoring and Facts about... COVID-19 close contact.

If your child feels sick, or develops symptoms while at school, schools will follow the following protocol:

• Students who develop COVID-19 symptoms will immediately be separated from others, and the family will be contacted to arrange pick-up.
• Siblings/staff of the ill individual will also be dismissed from school and advised to self-isolate.
• The parent should follow guidance on returning to school based in the Facts about... COVID-19 school and child care screening.

Your child must stay home and self-isolate until:

They get a negative COVID-19 test result, are fever free for at least 24 hours, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea free for 48 hours, and all other symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours.

OR

They receive an alternative diagnosis from a health care provider and are fever free for at least 24 hours, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea free for 48 hours, and all other symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours.

OR

It has been 10 days since the symptoms started and are fever free for at least 24 hours, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea free for 48 hours, and all other symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours.

Household members, including siblings, will be dismissed as well and must stay home and isolate until the symptomatic individual:

Receives a negative COVID-19 test result.

OR

Receives an alternative diagnosis from a health care provider.

*If the symptomatic person is not tested, does not receive an alternative diagnosis or tests positive, all household members must isolate for 14 days from their last contact with the symptomatic person.

If your child had one or more new or worsening COVID-19 symptom(s) *was feeling sick and is now feeling better, the child and household members must continue to stay home and self-isolate.

Your child may return to school when:

They get a negative COVID-19 test result, are fever free for at least 24 hours, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea free for 48 hours, and all other symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours.

OR

They receive an alternative diagnosis from a health care provider and are fever free for at least 24 hours, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea free for 48 hours, and all other symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours.

OR

It has been 10 days since the symptoms started and are fever free for at least 24 hours, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea free for 48 hours, and all other symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours.

Household members, including siblings, may return to school/work/childcare when the symptomatic individual:

Receives a negative COVID-19 test result.

OR

Receives an alternative diagnosis from a health care provider.

*If the symptomatic person is not tested, does not receive an alternative diagnosis or tests positive, all household members must isolate for 14 days from their last contact with the symptomatic person.

If your child was tested for COVID-19, they need to stay home and self-isolate until negative test results are received. Even if their symptoms have resolved, they may still be infected with COVID-19.

• Your child may return to school when they get a negative COVID-19 test result, are fever free for at least 24 hours, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea free for 48 hours, and all other symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours.
• All household members, including siblings, must stay home and isolate as well. Household members may return to school/work/child care when the symptomatic individual receives a negative COVID-19 test result.
• If your child tests positive, public health will follow-up with you to provide more detailed advice, including when your child and household members can return to school/work/child care.

See Facts about... Instructions for individuals tested for COVID-19.

If your child had one or more, new or worsening COVID-19 symptom(s) * and is now feeling better, they should be tested even if their symptoms have resolved.

Your child must stay home and self-isolate until:

They get a negative COVID-19 test result, are fever free for at least 24 hours, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea free for 48 hours, and all other symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours.

OR

They receive an alternative diagnosis from a health care provider and are fever free for at least 24 hours, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea free for 48 hours, and all other symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours.

OR

It has been 10 days since the symptoms started and are fever free for at least 24 hours, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea free for 48 hours, and all other symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours.

All household members, including siblings, must stay home and isolate until the symptomatic individual:

Receives a negative COVID-19 test result.

OR

Receives an alternative diagnosis from a health care provider.

*If the symptomatic person is not tested, does not receive an alternative diagnosis or tests positive, all household members must isolate for 14 days from their last contact with the symptomatic person.

If your child has been referred for COVID-19 testing and/or has the following symptoms:

• fever and/or chills
• cough
• shortness of breath
• decrease or loss of smell or taste
• feeling unwell, muscle aches, or tired
• stuffy or runny nose
• headache
• sore throat or difficulty swallowing
• nausea, vomiting or diarrhea

and you do not want to get them tested, they need to remain isolated at home for 10 days from when symptoms began.  The child can return to school when it has been 10 days since the symptoms started and are fever free for at least 24 hours, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea free for 48 hours, and all other symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours. 

In addition, all household members will be required to stay home and isolate for 14 days from their last contact with the symptomatic person.

No. Medical notes or proof of negative tests should not be required for staff or students to return to school. It is important to be in close communication with your school related to your child’s illness and direction provided by your health care provider. If your child does not have COVID-19 (e.g. your doctor has provided you with an alternate diagnosis), return to school can occur when there is no fever and symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours.

If your child's symptoms include nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, you should keep your child home until they are symptom free for 48 hours to prevent other illnesses from spreading.

No. Children can return to school if they have completed their 10 days of self-isolation, have no fever and their symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours.

If your child's symptoms include nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, you should keep your child home until they are symptom free for 48 hours to prevent other illnesses from spreading.

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 are managed by the Health Department and will be given guidance on when to return to school. Inform your child’s principal that you have been cleared from public health to return to school.

All staff must self-screen every day before arriving at school. If a staff member is experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, they must stay home from school and should seek testing and appropriate medical attention.

• Staff who develop COVID-19 symptoms while at school will immediately be separated from others and sent home.
• Staff with symptoms will be directed to seek medical advice including the recommendation of testing for COVID-19 as appropriate or as advised by their medical provider. Visit https://covid-19.ontario.ca/assessment-centre-locations/ for a full list of COVID-19 Assessment Centre locations, and book an appointment for COVID- 19 testing in Durham Region by completing the online assessment form at covidswab.lh.ca.
• Staff who have followed up with a health care provider and have received an alternative diagnosis than COVID-19 can return to school once they have no fever and symptoms have been improving for 24 hours.

If symptoms include nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, staff should stay home until they are symptom free for 48 hours to prevent other illnesses from spreading.

No. School staff can return to school if they have completed their 10 days of self-isolation, have no fever and their symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours.

If symptoms include nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, they should stay home until they are symptom free for 48 hours to prevent other illnesses from spreading.

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 are managed by the Health Department and will be given guidance on when to return to school. Inform the principal that you have been cleared from public health to return to school.

If your child had/has one or more, new or worsening COVID-19 symptom(s) *, your child may return to school when:

They get a negative COVID-19 test result, are fever free for at least 24 hours, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea free for 48 hours, and all other symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours.

OR

They receive an alternative diagnosis from a health care provider and are fever free for at least 24 hours, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea free for 48 hours, and all other symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours.

OR

It has been 10 days since the symptoms started and are fever free for at least 24 hours, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea free for 48 hours, and all other symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours.

Household members, including siblings, may return to school/work/child care when the symptomatic individual:

Receives a negative COVID-19 test result.

OR

Receives an alternative diagnosis from a health care provider.

*If the symptomatic person is not tested, does not receive an alternative diagnosis or tests positive, all household members must isolate for 14 days from their last contact with the symptomatic person.

Stay home and isolate immediately and follow the advice of public health if:

• Your child or anyone in your household has travelled outside of Canada in the past 14 days.
• Your child has been identified as a close contact of someone who is confirmed as having COVID-19.
• Your child has been directed by a health care provider and/or including public health to isolate.

Medical notes or proof of negative tests are not be required for students to return to school.

For instructions while waiting for COVID-19 test results please refer to Facts about... Instructions for individuals tested for COVID-19.

• For instructions while waiting for COVID-19 test results please refer to Facts about... Instructions for individuals tested for COVID-19.
• If your child has been tested for COVID-19 and is awaiting test result, your child should be in self-isolation and attend school virtually if well enough to participate.
• If your child was tested due to COVID-19 symptoms, all household members (including siblings and parents) are required to stay home until negative test results are received.
• If your child has not been identified as a close contact of someone diagnosed with COVID-19 and tests negative for COVID-19, they can return to school when there are fever free for at least 24 hours, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea free for 48 hours, and all other symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours.
• If your child has been identified as a close contact of someone diagnosed with COVID-19, public health staff will be in contact with you and will provide further instructions on self-isolation and when return to in-person learning at school would occur.
• If your child tests positive for COVID-19, aa public health nurse from Durham Region Health Department will be in contact with you and will provide further instructions on self-isolation and when return to in-person learning at school would occur. All household members (including siblings and parents) are required to stay home and isolate as directed by public health.

Household contacts (roommates and family members) of the ill individual who has been tested for COVID-19 are required to stay home and isolate. Household members can return to school/work/child care when the symptomatic individual tests negative. If the symptomatic individual tests positive, public health will follow-up with you to provide more detailed advice, including when you can return to school/work/child care.

See Facts about... Instructions for individuals tested for COVID-19.

An outbreak in a school is defined as two or more laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases in students and/or staff (or other visitors) in a school where at least one case could have reasonably acquired their infection* in the school (including transportation and before/after school care).

*Examples of reasonably having acquired infection in school include:

• No obvious source of infection outside of the school setting; OR
• Known exposure in the school setting.

The Health Department and your school public health nurse will work closely with the school to determine close contacts of the case and will provide direction on isolation and facilitate testing.

See Facts about...Outbreaks in schools.

School public health nurses:

• Support the implementation of school (including before and after school programs) COVID-19 health, safety and prevention plans.
• Assist with modifying school programs in the context of COVID-19.
• Build staff capacity (e.g., knowledge, skill-building) to implement COVID-19 measures (e.g., infection prevention and control (IPAC) or other prevention and preparedness measures).
• Act as school’s key public health contact for IPAC support, guidance, surveillance, screening and management of a COVID-19 case or outbreak within school, including facilitating testing.
• Support communication with families and broader school community about COVID-19 protocols.
• Support mental health and well-being of school community by providing resources and connecting with community supports.

Find ways to protect you and your family.