Dear DPS Community,
As we shared last week, the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment (DDPHE) has announced that its order requiring masks in all schools and childcare facilities will expire at the end of the day on Friday, Feb. 25. This applies to all ECE classrooms as well.
We have continued to work closely with the experts at DDPHE and Denver Health to get more information about how the changes to the mask requirement will apply to different situations. Today, we’d like to share some updated guidance with you that will go into effect after the mandate expires:
ECE: Based on guidance from local health experts, the mask requirement for ECE classrooms will also expire at the end of the day on Friday, Feb. 25. Based on public health guidance, it is possible that some ECE classrooms may have 10 day isolation and quarantine periods.
Bus transportation: Masks are still required for all drivers, paraprofessionals, and riders on district transportation. Our transportation team will have masks for students who need them.
Isolation and quarantine guidelines: The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) shared new school guidelines that will go into effect on Monday, Feb. 28:
- Isolate for 5 days: If you test positive for COVID-19, if you have symptoms and are waiting for test results, or if you have symptoms and have not yet been tested. If at the end of 5 days you are feeling better and have no fever (without fever-reducing medicine) for 24 hours, you should take extra precautions for 5 more days, such as wearing a mask at all times and avoiding travel.
- Isolate for 10 days: If you have tested positive for COVID-19 and are unable to wear a mask while in school during days 6-10 (such as people with disabilities who are unable to wear a mask or children under age 2) you should isolate for 10 days after an exposure, even if your symptoms have resolved before day 10.
- Quarantine for 5 days: If you have been directly exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual AND you are not vaccinated or have not received a booster dose of the vaccine, you should quarantine for 5 days.
- No quarantine required: If you are fully vaccinated and boosted but have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you do not need to quarantine, but should wear a mask for 10 days after the date of your exposure, and get tested on day 5.
Please remember that masks are still required in all indoor school settings through Feb. 25. And they will still be strongly encouraged even after the city’s mandate has expired. Please keep up the healthy habits that have seen us through the pandemic thus far: stay home when you’re sick; wash your hands frequently and cover coughs and sneezes with an elbow; meet in locations with good ventilation; and try to keep physical distance whenever possible.
We appreciate your support and flexibility as we move into this new phase of the pandemic together.