When Can You Return to School?

For staff/students who are experiencing one or more COVID-19 symptoms for any duration, without known *close contact exposure to a confirmed COVID-19 case : 

• If PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction - also known as a molecular test) testing for COVID-19 is not performed or are awaiting test results: stay home until 10 days have passed since symptoms first showed up AND at least 24 hours after the fever has resolved (without the use of medications) AND symptoms have improved.  
• If PCR testing for COVID-19 is negative: stay home until 24 hours after the fever has resolved (without the use of medications) AND symptoms improve.  
• If you have not had known exposure AND have a clear, non-respiratory alternative diagnosis for your symptoms from a healthcare provider, follow provider direction and isolate per condition diagnosed (whichever is longer) and you may return to work or school following the guidance from your health care provider.  You may be asked to provide a copy of healthcare provider alternative diagnosis documentation prior to return to the building. 

In some instances, staff/students may become ill at school with a single, short term symptom. A short-term symptom is defined as only one of the following listed symptoms: fatigue; headache; muscle pain or body aches; sore throat; congestion or runny nose; nausea or vomiting; or diarrhea. If a person has only one of these symptoms AND the symptom begins and resolves in less than 24 hours AND there is no known close contact COVID-19 exposure, they may return to school if the symptom has resolved.  

For staff/students who are experiencing one or more COVID-19 symptoms for any duration, with known *close contact exposure to a confirmed COVID-19 case :

• If PCR testing for COVID-19 is negative or awaiting test results or has not been tested: Stay home for 14 days of quarantine after the last date of exposure to close contact. 

For staff/students who have been exposed to COVID-19 and have no symptoms Public Health recommends the following before returning to work/school:

• Stay in quarantine for a full 14 days (unless fully vaccinated) beginning after your last contact and 
• If you receive a negative test result (get tested no sooner than 5 days after your last contact). 

If you are out of work/school due to exposure quarantine and you end up testing positive for COVID-19: 

• Notify the school/department right away  
• Follow the guidance below for staff/students who have tested positive

If staff/students develop symptoms during their 14-day quarantine period for an exposure: 

• Consult your healthcare provider  
• Seek testing for COVID-19 
• Follow the Guidance for Managing Symptomatic COVID cases

Staff/students who have tested positive for COVID-19 should remain at home and should not return to school until:  

• At least 10 days have passed since symptoms began or since the date of positive PCR test if having no symptoms 
• AND at least 24 hours have passed since fever resolved (without the use of fever-reducing medications) 
• AND other symptoms have improved.  

Staff/students experiencing COVID-like symptoms, but who have test results that are inconclusive, treat the case as if the person tested positive. The person cannot go to school and should remain in quarantine until:  

• At least 10 days have passed since symptoms began  
• AND at least 24 hours have passed since fever resolved (without use of medications) 
• AND other symptoms have improved.   

If the same person takes a second test and receives a negative COVID test (after a prior inconclusive test), they can return to school after:  

• At least 24 hours after the fever has resolved (without the use of fever-reducing medications) 
• AND symptoms have improved 
• If they are a close contact of someone with confirmed COVID-19 and have a negative COVID-19 test, they must still quarantine for 14 days.