UPDATED GUIDANCE FOR SCHOOLS BASED ON REVISED CDC GUIDELINES
ISOLATION
Isolation is required for someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status. This person is required to:
- Stay home for at least 5 days
- If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your house (return to school).
- Continue to wear a mask around others through the 10th day of isolation.
If you have a fever, continue to stay home for 24 hours after the fever has resolved.
PROBABLE CLOSE CONTACT/QUARANTINE
An individual who has likely been within 3 feet for 15 cumulative minutes or longer within a 24-hour period during the infectious period of a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 is a probable close contact.
WHAT TO DO FOR QUARANTINE
- Stay home and away from other people for at least 5 days after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19.
- Wear a well-fitting mask through the 10th day after contact with a person who has COVID-19. (If you are unable to wear a mask, continue to quarantine for 10 days.)
- Monitor for symptoms, and, if symptoms occur, self-isolate and get tested.
Remember, Fayetteville Public Schools offers a free meal option for all children 0-18 years of age, even during quarantine. Click here for more information.
WHO SHOULD QUARANTINE
If you are considered a probable close contact with someone with COVID-19, you should quarantine if you are in one of the following groups:
- You are ages 18 or older and completed the primary series of recommended vaccine but have not received a recommended booster shot when eligible.
- You are age 18 or older and received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine (completing the primary series) over 2 months ago and have not received the recommended booster dose.
- You are not vaccinated or have not completed a primary vaccine series.
WHO DOES NOT NEED TO QUARANTINE
If you came into close contact with someone with COVID-19 and you are in one of the following groups, you do not need to quarantine:
- You are ages 18 and older and have received all recommended vaccine doses, including booster and additional primary shots for some immunocompromised people.
- You are ages 5-17 years and completed the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines.
- You had confirmed COVID-19 within the last 90 days (PCR or Antigen Test)
OTHER EXCEPTIONS TO QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS
- Individuals exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19 will not need to quarantine if the exposed individual has no symptoms and both the infected and exposed individual were consistently and correctly wearing a mask.
- If at least 70% of staff and students are fully vaccinated in a school, individuals in the school (not district) are not required to quarantine. (At this time, FPS has no school that meets this criterion.)
ACTIVITY PARTICIPATION
An individual who has completed at least 5 full days of at-home isolation or quarantine may participate in activities provided they are able to properly mask during that activity for the remainder of the 10-day isolation or quarantine period. (Interscholastic athletic activities may be subject to additional health and safety protocols adopted by the Arkansas Activities Association.)
MASKING
If someone is unable to wear a mask for any reason, including a medical exemption, you should complete a full 10-day quarantine/isolation post-exposure.
Thank you for your continued partnership in the health and well-being of our students, staff, and the community. Please check our website for updates and more information.