YORK COUNTY — York County School Division (YCSD) will start adhering to shorter isolation and quarantine periods for staff and students who test positive for COVID-19, as of today, Jan. 11.
Based on information from the Commonwealth which clarified guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), all students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 need to isolate for five days, as opposed to ten.
According to a message sent to YCSD families and stakeholders on Jan.10, students and staff who are asymptomatic for the entire five days may return to school on day six. When they do return to school, they must remain masked when around others, except when eating and drinking, in accordance with state mask requirements.
Individuals who do experience symptoms have to remain in isolation until they are asymptomatic.
Individuals who are not fully vaccinated and are exposed to someone with COVID-19, must quarantine for five days if they:
- People who are ages 18 and older and completed the primary series of recommended vaccine, but have not received a recommended booster shot when eligible.
- People who received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine over two months ago and have not received a recommended booster shot.
- People who are not vaccinated or have not completed a primary vaccine series
Quarantine is not necessary for people who:
- People who are ages 18 and older and have received all recommended vaccine doses, including boosters and additional primary shots for some immunocompromised people.
- People who are ages 5–17 years and completed the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines.
- People who had confirmed COVID-19 within the last ninety days (tested positive using a viral test).
For more information on this updated policy go to the YCSD or CDC websites.