CDC Expected To Ease School COVID Guidelines: What It Means In MA

MASSACHUSETTS – Federal health authorities are expected to soon ease COVID-19 guidelines for schools, according to a new report.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention could announce the changes in the coming days, CNN reported. The CDC is expected to ease guidelines that address screening for the virus, as well as social distancing recommendations.

Regular COVID-19 screening in schools will likely be de-emphasized and the new measures are expected to loosen quarantine guidelines for those exposed to the virus, according to a preview of the plan obtained by CNN. The agency also reportedly plans to de-emphasize the 6-foot social distancing rule.

Instead of consistent screenings in schools, the CDC will likely suggest that testing be based on COVID-19 community levels and on higher-risk settings, such as nursing homes and prisons. The proposed changes have been revealed to some educators and public health officials and haven’t been finalized, as they are still being discussed, according to the report.

If enacted, the changes to COVID-19 guidelines are in line with COVID-19 policies for schools in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts students in schools K-12 do not have to wear a mask this upcoming year after Gov. Charlie Baker lifted the statewide mask mandate for students on Feb. 28, 2022. However, masks are still mandatory for long-term care facilities, medical facilities, prisons, and shelters.

Related: A Pandemic Timeline 2 Years Into MA's State Of Emergency

Boston Public Schools were the last to drop the mask mandate, making all students wear a mask through the end of the previous school year. That mandate was dropped for BPS on June 13th, making masks optional.

Quarantine for asymptomatic exposed children, regardless of where the exposure occurred, is no longer required for schools. Children who are identified as close contacts may continue to attend programming as long as they remain asymptomatic. Those who can mask should do so until Day 10. A test on Days 2 and 5 is recommended, but not required.

Children who test positive must isolate for at least 5 days. If they are asymptomatic or symptoms are resolving and they have been fever free for 24 hours, they may return to programming after Day 5, provided:

• If the child is able to mask, they must do so through Day 10.
• If the child is unable to mask, they must have a negative test on Day 5 or later in order to return to programming prior to day 11.

Symptomatic children can remain in their school or program if they are tested immediately on site, and that test is negative. Best practice would also include wearing a mask, if possible until symptoms are fully resolved.

The CDC did not comment on the report stating changes to COVID-19 guidelines were coming soon and offered Patch the following statement:

“The CDC is always evaluating our guidance as science changes and will update the public as it occurs.”

COVID-19 guidelines have varied widely even since 2020 when the pandemic began. Several states and local governments have since removed many or all restrictions.

In Georgia, Gov. Brian Kemp signed a law in March allowing parents to opt their children out of wearing masks at school, even in districts that mandate them. Local governments and schools in Texas and Florida have been barred from requiring masks since May 2021, when governors Greg Abbott and Ron DeSantis signed executive orders in their respective states.

Conversely, employees and volunteers at public schools in Washington, D.C. are required to be vaccinated, with exceptions for religious beliefs or medical conditions. In California, school staff must be vaccinated or tested weekly for COVID-19.