Volusia County Schools updates its quarantine procedures.

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News 

Volusia County Schools announced that it updated its protocols related to student quarantining and contact tracing, effective immediately, following a Florida Department of Health Emergency Rule issued Wednesday by the new Surgeon General.

Under the Emergency Rule, children exposed to the virus and who show no signs of symptoms will have their parent or guardian determine whether to quarantine their child or not. The exposed student may attend school and participate in school activities if they do not have any symptoms of illness or test positive for COVID-19. The parent or guardian may also quarantine the child for up to seven days from the date of exposure.

These new protocols will serve as guidelines that school officials and families follow if a child tests positive or is exposed. 

The mandatory face-covering policy that allows parents and guardians to opt their children out will remain in place. The current policy requires students in grades K-12 to wear face masks or shields while indoors at schools and facilities and while on school buses.

Adults are required to wear a facial covering at all schools and VCS facilities.

Additional information about COVID-19 health and safety is available at the Volusia County Schools’ COVID-19 Information site, at www.vcsedu.org/covid-19-information.