COVID-19 Response Recommendations for School Administration
Last Updated: 3/21/23
Disease Prevention Guidance
The Safe Schools for All Hub consolidates key resources and information related to COVID-19 and schools. All current guidance documents can be found at the State of California Safe Schools for All HUB. New resources will be added to the Hub on a regular basis. Please visit https://schools.covid19.ca.gov/ for California's K-12 Framework for schools.
Face Covering
In In K-12 settings face coverings continue to be strongly recommended indoors, with exemptions per CDPH face mask guidance.
Per the CalOSHA Non-Emergency Regulation (February 2, 2023), Employers must provide face coverings and ensure they are worn by employees when CDPH requires their use.
- Employers must review CDPH Guidance for the Use of Face Masks to learn when employees must wear face coverings https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/guidance-for-face-coverings.aspx
- Employees still have the right to wear face coverings at work and to request respirators from the employer when working indoors and during outbreaks
Ventilation
Administrators should review CDPH Interim Guidance for Ventilation, Filtration, and Air Quality in Indoor Environments and COVID-19 and Improving Indoor Air Quality in Schools on strategies for improving ventilation and air quality.
Staying Home When Sick and Get Tested
Staff, parents, and children should follow the strategy of “stay home when you are sick” see CDC’s Staying Home when You Are Sick for additional guidance.
Isolation
For both vaccinated and unvaccinated persons, follow the CDPH Isolation Guidance for those diagnosed with COVID-19 and Orange County Health Officer Orders as it relates to isolation.
Vaccination
OCHCA strongly recommends that all of those who are eligible receive a primary series and an updated (bivalent) vaccine. Recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines now begin for those 6 months of age and older. To know if you are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines see CDC’s Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines Including Boosters. To find information on how to access COVID-19 vaccines check out our Find a COVID-19 Vaccine page.
Employer Requirements
On December 15, 2022, the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board voted to adopt COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Regulations. These regulations went into effect on February 3, 2023, and will remain in effect for two years after the effective date, except for the recordkeeping subsections that will remain in effect for three years. Details on Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Regulations are linked.
Disease Reporting
There are no longer requirements to report individual COVID-19 cases (staff and students) to OCHCA. Major outbreaks of staff or volunteers are directly reported to CalOSHA. Please review Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Regulations for the circumstances when reporting to Cal/OSHA may be required.
There remain requirements for schools to report reportable diseases as well as outbreaks of disease under existing education and public health statues. For the purposes of respiratory illness there is not a specific number or criteria as what might constitute an outbreak depends on the levels of disease in the broader community. Consequently, we define an outbreak as an unusual occurrence of disease. If school staff have concerns about occurrence of disease or have questions call Communicable Disease Control at 714-834-8180 or you can report online following the directions HERE.
Local Resources
Orange County schools and the OC Department of Education for the latest news and information visit the OCDE Newsroom.
Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) strongly encourages all who are eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as one of the best ways to protect yourself and others. Visit the OCHCA Vaccine Resources Site for more information.
Local information on testing and testing resources in Orange County can be found at the OCHCA Testing page.
