FUSD Adjusts It’s COVID-19 Guidelines On Quarantining, As Long As Students Wear Their Masks Properly

The Flagstaff Unified School District has adjusted its COVID-19 mitigation plan. The Coconino County Health and Human Services Department has authorized FUSD to change the close contact definition and quarantine guidelines. With the requirement of staff, students, and visitors to wear face masks, while indoors on school district property, FUSD qualifies for a K-through-12 school exception. FUSD officials say that in the K-through-12 indoor classroom setting, the close contact definition excludes students who were within three-to-six feet of an infected student, laboratory-confirmed or a clinically compatible illness, if both the infected student and the exposed student, or students, correctly and consistently wore well-fitted masks the entire time. This exception does not apply to teachers, staff, or other adults in the indoor classroom setting. The district says since students and staff are required to wear masks at all times while indoors, except while eating and drinking, they will not have to quarantine students who are identified as close, or direct contact as long as masks were worn properly while at school. FUSD adds, their COVID support team will be investigating the positive student’s movement through the day to determine times when a mask may not have been worn properly. Unvaccinated students will be required to quarantine, if the Coconino County Health and Human Services and FUSD COVID Support Team determines that masks were not worn properly during contact with COVID-19 positive persons. FUSD says the change is good news for students and staff as the change will reduce the potential for learning loss and students getting behind in school because of repeated quarantine requirements. Remember, if your child is sick, don’t send them to school that day.