Asymptomatic, fully vaccinated kids won’t need to self isolate if their parents test positive for COVID-19.
That’s according to Ron Ferguson, the Upper Canada District School Board’s (UCDSB) Director of Education.
With COVID-19 mandates ending across Ontario, Ferguson is clarifying what changes will affect students at UCDSB schools. “Before we head into March Break,” he says, “I want to ensure all our families know when these changes take effect and how they will impact our students.”
Kids and staff won’t need to wear masks at school anymore, unless they’re a close contact with someone who tests positive or has symptoms. If they are, they need to “self-monitor” for symptoms and wear a mask in public for ten days.
If someone in a child or staff member’s household tests positive or has symptoms, fully vaccinated kids younger than 17 with no symptoms will now self-monitor for symptoms and wear a mask, rather than isolating.
The same is true for people ages 18 and older who have had a booster dose, and anyone who had previously tested positive for COVID-19 within 90 days of the new exposure, as long as they’ve completed their self isolation period.
Asymptomatic kids younger than 5 who have a household member that tests positive need to self isolate for five days.
Ferguson also says the board plans to let schools reconsider their schedules over the coming weeks, since larger groups of students will be allowed in the same space. All of these changes take effect when kids return to school after March Break on the 21st.