Recommendations & Requirements

  • Safety Protocols
    HygienePersonal Protective EquipmentResponding to Positive TestsScreening students

    Schools are closed for in-person instruction.

    • Phases 1-3:
      Required
    • Phase 4:
      Not applicable
    • Phase 5:
      Not applicable
  • Safety Protocols
    Spacing and Movement

    School buildings may continue to be used by licensed child care providers, if providers follow all emergency protocols identified by the state.

    • Phases 1-3:
      Required
    • Phase 4:
      Not applicable
    • Phase 5:
      Not applicable
  • Safety Protocols
    Spacing and Movement

    School employees and contractors are permitted to be physically present in school buildings for the purposes of conducting basic school operations, including remote live instruction, as determined by school administrators.

    • Phases 1-3:
      Required
    • Phase 4:
      Not applicable
    • Phase 5:
      Not applicable
  • Safety Protocols
    Spacing and Movement

    Space desks six feet apart in classrooms. Class sizes should be kept to the level afforded by necessary spacing requirements.

    • Phases 1-3:
      Not applicable
    • Phase 4:
      Strongly recommended
    • Phase 5:
      Recommended
  • Safety Protocols
    Spacing and Movement

    In classrooms where large tables are utilized, space students as far apart as feasible.

    • Phases 1-3:
      Not applicable
    • Phase 4:
      Strongly recommended
    • Phase 5:
      Recommended
  • Safety Protocols
    Spacing and Movement

    As feasible, arrange all desks facing the same direction toward the front of the classroom.

    • Phases 1-3:
      Not applicable
    • Phase 4:
      Strongly recommended
    • Phase 5:
      Recommended
  • Safety Protocols
    Spacing and Movement

    Teachers should maintain six feet of spacing between themselves and students as much as possible.

    • Phases 1-3:
      Not applicable
    • Phase 4:
      Strongly recommended
    • Phase 5:
      Recommended
  • Safety Protocols
    Spacing and Movement

    Family members or other guests are not allowed in the school building except under extenuating circumstances determined by district and school officials.

    • Phases 1-3:
      Not applicable
    • Phase 4:
      Strongly recommended
    • Phase 5:
      Not applicable
  • Safety Protocols
    Spacing and Movement

    Post signage to indicate proper social distancing.

    • Floor tape or other markers should be used at six-foot intervals where line formation is anticipated.
    • Provide social distancing floor/seating markings in waiting and reception areas.
    • Post signs on the doors of restrooms to indicate proper social distancing and hand hygiene techniques.
    • Phases 1-3:
      Not applicable
    • Phase 4:
      Strongly recommended
    • Phase 5:
      Recommended
  • Safety Protocols
    Spacing and Movement

    Adult guests entering the building should be screened for symptoms, wear a facial covering, and wash/sanitize hands prior to entering. Strict records, including date and time, should be kept of non-school employees or other visitors entering and exiting the building.

    • Phases 1-3:
      Not applicable
    • Phase 4:
      Strongly recommended
    • Phase 5:
      Not applicable
  • Safety Protocols
    Spacing and Movement

    If a classroom has windows that can open, they should be open as much as possible, weather permitting. Considerations should be made for students with allergy-induced asthma.

    • Phases 1-3:
      Not applicable
    • Phase 4:
      Recommended
    • Phase 5:
      Recommended
  • Safety Protocols
    Spacing and Movement

    As able, “specials” (like art, music, and library) should be brought to the classrooms instead of having students move to different locations.

    • Phases 1-3:
      Not applicable
    • Phase 4:
      Recommended
    • Phase 5:
      Recommended
  • Safety Protocols
    Spacing and Movement

    If all students cannot fit in the classroom space available, a school may consider implementing a staggered school schedule that incorporates alternative dates of attendance or use of virtual teaching. If a staggered school schedule is adopted, schools should partner with community organizations to identify safe spaces where children can engage virtually, especially if family members work and children cannot be home alone.

    • Phases 1-3:
      Not applicable
    • Phase 4:
      Recommended
    • Phase 5:
      Not applicable
  • Safety Protocols
    Spacing and Movement

    Efforts should be made to keep six feet of distance between people in the hallways. Staggered movements at incremental intervals should be used if feasible to minimize the number of persons in the hallways as able.

    • Phases 1-3:
      Not applicable
    • Phase 4:
      Recommended
    • Phase 5:
      Recommended
  • Safety Protocols
    Spacing and Movement

    Have staff monitor arrival and dismissal to discourage congregating and ensure students go straight from a vehicle to their classrooms and vice-versa.

    • Phases 1-3:
      Not applicable
    • Phase 4:
      Recommended
    • Phase 5:
      Recommended
  • Safety Protocols
    Spacing and Movement

    Where possible, physical education should be held outside and social distancing of six feet should be practiced.

    • Phases 1-3:
      Not applicable
    • Phase 4:
      Recommended
    • Phase 5:
      Not applicable
  • Safety Protocols
    Spacing and Movement

    Boarding schools should seek guidance from MDHHS regarding spacing, movement, and facility access.

    • Phases 1-3:
      Not applicable
    • Phase 4:
      Recommended
    • Phase 5:
      Recommended
  • Safety Protocols
    Spacing and Movement

    Flow of foot traffic should be directed in only one direction, if possible. If one-way flow is not possible, hallways should be divided with either side following the same direction.

    • Phases 1-3:
      Not applicable
    • Phase 4:
      Recommended
    • Phase 5:
      Recommended
  • Safety Protocols
    Screening studentsSpacing and Movement

    Entrances and exits should be kept separate to keep traffic moving in a single direction.

    • Phases 1-3:
      Not applicable
    • Phase 4:
      Recommended
    • Phase 5:
      Recommended
  • Safety Protocols
    Screening students

    Every school should identify and designate a quarantine area and a staff person to care for students who become ill at school.

    • Phases 1-3:
      Not applicable
    • Phase 4:
      Strongly recommended
    • Phase 5:
      Strongly recommended
  • Safety Protocols
    Screening students

    Students who become ill with symptoms of COVID-19 should be placed in an identified quarantine area with a surgical mask in place until they can be picked up. Identified school staff caring for these children should wear a surgical mask, with the exception of students with special needs requiring aerosolized procedures in which an N95 mask is required.

    • Phases 1-3:
      Not applicable
    • Phase 4:
      Strongly recommended
    • Phase 5:
      Strongly recommended
  • Safety Protocols
    Screening students

    Symptomatic students sent home from school should be kept home until they have tested negative or have completely recovered according to CDC guidelines.

    • Phases 1-3:
      Not applicable
    • Phase 4:
      Strongly recommended
    • Phase 5:
      Strongly recommended
  • Safety Protocols
    Screening students

    Staff should conduct daily self-examinations, including a temperature check, prior to coming to work. If they exhibit any respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms, or have a temperature of 100.4 or greater, they should stay home.

    • Phases 1-3:
      Not applicable
    • Phase 4:
      Strongly recommended
    • Phase 5:
      Recommended
  • Safety Protocols
    Screening students

    Strict records, including date and time, should be kept of non-school employees or other visitors entering and exiting the building.

    • Phases 1-3:
      Not applicable
    • Phase 4:
      Not applicable
    • Phase 5:
      Strongly recommended
  • Safety Protocols
    Screening students

    A monitoring form (paper or electronic) for screening employees should be developed.

    • Phases 1-3:
      Not applicable
    • Phase 4:
      Recommended
    • Phase 5:
      Not applicable
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