News Update

California issues guidance for elementary schools to obtain waivers to reopen

The California Department of Public Health on Monday released guidance outlining the process for public and private elementary schools to seek waivers to reopen for in-person instruction if they are located in a county that is on the state’s “monitoring list” for Covid-19 cases. Under the guidance, which applies to students in grades K-6, schools or districts must apply for waivers to their county public health departments and must meet several strict criteria, including detailed plans for physical distancing, how they will handle outbreaks, and when they would close, if necessary.

The state recommends that schools in counties where the 14-day Covid-19 case rates are more than twice the threshold to be placed on the list (more than 200 cases for every 100,000 residents) not be considered for a waiver. Currently, 38 counties are on the list, representing more than 90% of the state’s population.

The state has also released a set of Frequently Asked Questions about its school guidance, which includes a section on the new elementary waivers. Before applying for a waiver, a school must consult with its staff, parents and community organizations. Local health officers should base their decisions about whether to grant the waivers on local case data and available interventions, and must consult with the state’s Department of Public Health. In addition, the state released updated school guidance covering a variety of issues related to school reopening protocols, as well as for youth sports.


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