INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) on Thursday announced changes in COVID-19 guidance for K-12 schools and childcare programs to reflect declining cases across the state.
The department also will begin to reduce its coronavirus response operations because there is less demand for testing and substantial availability of COVID-19 vaccines and treatment at health provider locations.
The state said that starting Wednesday, February 23:
- Schools no longer will be required to conduct contact tracing or report positive cases to IDOH.
- Schools no longer will need to quarantine students who are exposed to a positive COVID-19 case, regardless of vaccination status or whether the school requires masks.
- Individuals who test positive should isolate for five days and may return on Day 6 if they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication so long as symptoms are improving. Individuals should wear a mask through Day 10 any time they are around others.
Schools should continue assisting local health departments and notify them if there is an outbreak.