NYS Department of Health Masking Guidance

NYS Department of Health Masking Guidance
Posted on 03/02/2022





EFFECTIVE 3.2.22


ARE MASKS REQUIRED IN SCHOOL OR ON SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION?
No. The state requirement for universal masking ended on March 2, 2022 and encompasses all district activities, including: in-person instruction, transportation, and all extra-curricular activities. 

Students, staff, faculty, and visitors maintain the ability to continue wearing a mask if they desire and the district will support their decision. 

IS THERE A TIME WHEN MASKING IS REQUIRED? 
The NYSDOH requires that students, staff, and faculty wear masks upon returning to school after a positive COVID diagnosis (Days 6-10 of their isolation period). Individuals who are required to wear masks in school, must also wear a mask on school transportation or when participating in any extra-curricular activities. 

DOES THE REMOVAL OF THE MASK MANDATE CHANGE THE “ZONE OF EXPOSURE”? 
In settings where masks are not worn, anyone within a 6-foot radius of an infected person shall be considered “exposed”. 

HOW WILL I KNOW IF MY CHILD HAS BEEN EXPOSED AT SCHOOL
The district will continue to notify direct contacts of a COVID-positive case. 

WILL MY CHILD BE REQUIRED TO BE TESTED? 
Symptomatic individuals, regardless of vaccination status, are required to be tested. 

WHAT IF I DO NOT WANT MY SYMPTOMATIC CHILD TESTED?
Symptomatic individuals who are not tested must stay home for 5 days or until other criteria are met for school attendance. Upon returning to school, untested symptomatic students must wear a mask for days 6-10 of the isolation period. 

I [or my student] HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO A COVID POSITIVE INDIVIDUAL, WHAT SHOULD WE DO? 
Contact tracing and case investigations are following the state's newest guidelines. Please read the NYS Contact Tracing & Case Investigation FAQs here for further instruction: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/contact-tracing-frequently-asked-questions


MY FAMILY USED AN “AT HOME” TEST KIT AND MY STUDENT TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID, WHAT SHOULD WE DO? 

● Please contact Nurse Keith and inform her of the positive test result. 
● The student must be excluded from school and the positive test(s) must be self-reported by clicking the following link: COVID Self-Test Report.

 ● Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 will be required to isolate for a minimum of five (5) days, regardless of vaccination status. If symptoms are resolving after five (5) days, the student is allowed to attend school, but will be required to wear a mask for days 6-10 of the isolation period. If symptoms persist, further isolation will be required. 

I AM EXPERIENCING COVID-LIKE SYMPTOMS, HOW SHOULD I PROCEED
Students who are experiencing COVID-like symptoms, regardless of their vaccination status, must be excluded from attending school. Students may return to school under one of the following conditions: 

● The students receives an alternate medical diagnosis from their Primary Care Physician, or 

● The student receives a negative PCR test; 

or 

● The student receives two negative “At Home” rapid tests within 36 hours. 

MY STUDENT WAS COVID POSITIVE AND HAS COMPLETED THEIR REQUIRED PERIOD OF ISOLATION/QUARANTINE, HOW DO THEY RETURN TO SCHOOL?
If the period of isolation or quarantine has expired,you may obtain your attestation forms by clicking this link: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/new-york-state-contact-tracing 


Any questions regarding this information can be directed to Nurse Keith or emailed
[email protected].