Steps for Determining Close Contact and Quarantine in K–12 Schools
Determine If Someone Is a Close Contact
STEP 1 Is the suspected close contact a student or adult? STUDENT: Go to Step 2. ADULT: Go to Step 8.
STEP 2 Did the suspected close contact happen in an indoor classroom or a structured outdoor setting? YES: Go to Step 3. NO: Go to Step 6.
STEP 3 Was the student within 3 feet of another student with COVID-19? YES: Go to Step 7. NO: Go to Step 4.
STEP 4 Was the student within 3 to 6 feet of another student with COVID-19? YES: Go to Step 5. NO: The student is not a close contact.
STEP 5 Were both students wearing their masks consistently and correctly? YES: The student is not a close contact. NO: Go to Step 7.
STEP 6 Was the student within 6 feet of someone with COVID-19? YES: Go to Step 7. NO: The student is not a close contact.
STEP 7 Was the student in the presence of someone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period? YES: The student is a close contact. Go to the quarantine recommendations below. NO: The student is not a close contact.
STEP 8 Did the suspected close contact for the adult happen at school? YES: Go to Step 9. NO: The adult may want to learn if they are considered a close contact based on their suspected exposure outside of school.
STEP 9 Was the adult less than 6 feet away from someone diagnosed with COVID-19 for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period? YES: The adult is a close contact, regardless of proper mask use. Go to the quarantine recommendations below. NO: The adult is not a close contact.
Quarantine Guidelines and Precautions a Close Contact Should Take
To allow time for students to catch up with the latest recommendations and to minimize disruption to in-person learning, schools may consider forgoing quarantine for students ages 12-17 years who completed their primary vaccine series but have not yet received all eligible boosters.
All Close Contacts Should Take These Precautions
Regardless of vaccination status, all close contacts should monitor for symptoms and wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days after the last close contact.
If a close contact develops any COVID-19 symptoms, they should isolate, get tested immediately, and continue to isolate if they test positive.
IF CLOSE CONTACT Is NOT up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations Stay home and quarantine The close contact should stay home and:
Quarantine for at least 5 days from the date of last close contact
Get tested at least 5 days after the last close contact
Follow the precautions listed above
IF CLOSE CONTACT IS up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations No quarantine If they have taken the full series of a COVID-19 vaccine and boosters as recommended, they are up to date. The close contact does not need to quarantine, but should:
Get tested at least 5 days after the last close contact
Follow the precautions listed above
IF CLOSE CONTACT Had COVID-19 within the past 90 days and recovered No quarantine The close contact does not need to quarantine. They should speak with a healthcare professional about testing recommendations and follow the precautions listed above