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COVID-19: Information for Schools and Daycares |
DCHD Guidance
Key Messages for Schools (PDF) 8/2/2021The top priority is to ensure that all children have access to in-person instruction this year in a manner that prioritizes the health and safety of the students, teachers, school staff, their families, and the community. Preventing the spread of COVID-19, keeping children healthy, and meeting their educational and social needs are not mutually exclusive goals. To ensure the health and safety of students, staff, and the community, DCHD strongly recommends that schools adopt a policy to require universal indoor masking regardless of vaccination status, in addition to having all evidenced-based prevention strategies in place at the start of the school year. |
DCHD Statement on COVID-19 Prevention Strategies in Schools (PDF) 7/28/2021 |
IDPH Guidance
Revised Public Health Guidance for SchoolsSupporting the Full Return to In-Person Learning for All Students - Updated 10/15/2021 |
Interim Guidance on Testing for COVID-19 in Community Settings and SchoolsThis guidance addresses the use of point-of-care (POC) COVID-19 testing and screening in schools and other community settings. Updated 10/15/2021 |
COVID-19 INTERIM EXCLUSION GUIDANCE FOR SCHOOLSDecision Tree for Excluding Symptomatic Individuals from Pre-K, K-12 Schools and Day Care Programs (PDF) (9/29/2021) |
COVID-19 School Guidance FAQs |
COVID-19 School Guidance and Resources |
Licensed Day Care Guidance |
ISBE Guidance
Executive Order 2021-24 and 77 ILL. Admin. Code 690.361 Fact SheetSeptember 21, 2021On Friday, September 17, 2021, Governor Pritzker issued Executive Order 2021-24, which clarified schools’ authority to exclude students and school personnel from school premises (including in-person instruction and extracurricular events) when students or school personnel are a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19; a close contact to a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19; or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) also adopted an emergency administrative rule, 77 Ill. Admin. Code 690.361, to implement the Executive Order. IDPH and the Illinois State Board of Education have updated their Revised Public Health Guidance for Schools and related FAQs consistent with the Executive Order and emergency rule. Additionally, IDPH has provided Public Health Interim Guidance for Local Health Departments and Pre-K- Schools – COVID-19 Exclusion Protocols, which provides practical guidance for schools and local health departments in complying with the Executive Order and rules. |