The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) no longer have guidance specific to COVID-19 for schools. COVID-19 is now grouped with Respiratory Illnesses for staff & students.
Masks lower a person’s exposure to respiratory infections such as COVID19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and pertussis (whooping cough).
If you test positive for COVID-19, masking is recommended. See the CDC Preventing Spread of Respiratory Viruses When You’re Sick Respiratory Illnesses for more details.
If you believe you were exposed and will be in contact with someone who is higher risk, consider wearing a high-quality mask.
If you are at higher-risk of becoming severely ill, consider wearing a high-quality mask (respirator) when you are in an indoor public setting with poor ventilation, or when you are traveling on public transportation.
People who are at higher risk for severe respiratory infections include:
Student Guidance see section “Respiratory Illnesses” below The CDPH refers to the CDC recommendations on preventing the spread of respiratory viruses, and these details are defined below. |
Employee / Adult Guidance see section “Respiratory Illnesses” below Please note that Cal/OSHA sustains certain additional requirements for employees (adults in schools). |
Source: CDPH - Updated July 11, 2024 (Student Guidance) & Cal/OSHA - Updated May 22, 2024 (Employee/Adult Guidance)
Below are suggestions for when to keep your child home when they are not feeling well. Contact a health care provider if your child needs medical care. A doctor’s note is generally not required to return to school or child care. For more information, please visit the CDPH guidance page.
SYMPTOMS | any symptom that prevents a child from participating meaningfully in routine activities is cause to stay home.
OK TO ATTEND WITH MILD SYMPTOMS as long as both of the following are true:
STAY HOME IF symptoms are not improving, worsening, or severe enough that child has difficulty participating in routine activities, or if any of the following symptoms are present:
RETURNING TO SCHOOL
When going back to normal activities it is recommended that students and staff take additional precautions for the next 5-10 days such as:
Current guidelines are for students and staff to stay home and away from others if they have respiratory virus symptoms during the infectious period.
SYMPTOMS | may include runny/stuffy nose, sore throat, sneezing, congestion, body aches, fever, chills, fatigue, headache, and/or cough, typically lasting up to 7-10 days
OK TO ATTEND WITH MILD SYMPTOMS as long as both of the following are true:
STAY HOME IF symptoms are not improving, worsening, or severe enough that child has difficulty participating in routine activities, or if any of the following symptoms are present:
⚠ Seek medical attention for new symptoms such as wheezing or breathing difficulties, even if mild.
STAY HOME (EMPLOYEES / ADULTS)
Per Cal/OSHA requirements, employees/adults must stay home during the infectious period, defined as one of the following:
RETURNING TO SCHOOL (STUDENTS)
When going back to normal activities it is recommended that students and staff take additional precautions for the next 5-10 days such as:
*Note: masking guidance is different for employees with COVID. Cal/OSHA requires masking around others for 10 days after symptoms start (or date of positive COVID test – if no symptoms)
RETURNING TO SCHOOL (EMPLOYEES / ADULTS)
Please note that Cal/OSHA sustains certain additional requirements for employees (adults in schools).
MASKING AT WORK (EMPLOYEES / ADULTS)
Per Cal/OSHA requirements, adult/employee COVID-19 cases may return after the infectious period (see above) and must wear a mask indoors:
*Note that this is different from student guidance which is to mask around others for 5 days after returning to school.
SYMPTOMS | wheezing (high-pitched sounds) that can be heard when a child breathes in or out, chest retractions (see below) OR extra effort is required to breathe
OK TO ATTEND WITH MILD SYMPTOMS as long as both of the following are true:
STAY HOME IF symptoms are not improving, worsening, or severe enough that child has difficulty participating in routine activities, or if any of the following symptoms are present:
⚠ Seek medical attention for new symptoms such as wheezing or breathing difficulties, even if mild.
RETURNING TO SCHOOL
When going back to normal activities it is recommended that students and staff take additional precautions for the next 5-10 days such as:
SYMPTOMS | pain experienced anywhere between the chest and groin; pain may be continuous or may come and go
OK TO ATTEND WITH MILD SYMPTOMS as long as both of the following are true:
STAY HOME IF symptoms are not improving, worsening, or severe enough that child has difficulty participating in routine activities, or if any of the following symptoms are present:
⚠ Seek medical attention for new symptoms such as wheezing or breathing difficulties, even if mild.
RETURNING TO SCHOOL
When going back to normal activities it is recommended that students and staff take additional precautions for the next 5-10 days such as:
SYMPTOMS | stools that are more frequent (typically at least two more than normal) or less formed than usual for that child AND not associated with a change in diet.
OK TO ATTEND WITH MILD SYMPTOMS as long as both of the following are true:
STAY HOME IF symptoms are not improving, worsening, or severe enough that child has difficulty participating in routine activities, or if any of the following symptoms are present:
RETURNING TO SCHOOL
When going back to normal activities it is recommended that students and staff take additional precautions for the next 5-10 days such as:
SYMPTOMS | pain (dull, sharp, or burning sensation) experienced inside the ear
OK TO ATTEND WITH MILD SYMPTOMS as long as both of the following are true:
STAY HOME IF symptoms are not improving, worsening, or severe enough that child has difficulty participating in routine activities, or if any of the following symptoms are present:
RETURNING TO SCHOOL
When going back to normal activities it is recommended that students and staff take additional precautions for the next 5-10 days such as:
SYMPTOMS | red or pink appearance to the white part of the eyeball. Child’s eye may also be itchy, have crusted/matted eyelashes, more watering than normal, or yellow/white drainage
OK TO ATTEND WITH MILD SYMPTOMS as long as both of the following are true:
STAY HOME IF symptoms are not improving, worsening, or severe enough that child has difficulty participating in routine activities, or if any of the following symptoms are present:
⚠ - seek medical attention
RETURNING TO SCHOOL
When going back to normal activities it is recommended that students and staff take additional precautions for the next 5-10 days such as:
Note: Pink eye (i.e., conjunctivitis) is inflammation of a layer that covers much of the eyeball. It is most often caused by a virus, and children with viral pink eye typically get better after 5-6 days without antibiotics. Staying home from school or child care is not necessary. Frequent hand washing should be encouraged. Eye irritation can also result from allergies or chemical exposures (e.g., air pollution, smoke, or swimming in chlorinated pool water).
SYMPTOMS | an oral (under the tongue), temporal (forehead), rectal, or axillary (underarm) temperature above 100.4°F (38°C). Axillary (underarm) measurements should be used only if other options are not available. Follow instructions for the specific thermometer, including directions for use, cleaning and covers (if applicable). If a temperature is close to 100.4°F, repeat to confirm the result
STAY HOME (unless otherwise directed by a healthcare provider) a child with a fever should NOT attend school or child care.
RETURNING TO SCHOOL
SYMPTOMS | pain experienced in any part of the head ranging from sharp to dull; may occur along with other symptoms
OK TO ATTEND WITH MILD SYMPTOMS as long as both of the following are true:
STAY HOME IF symptoms are not improving, worsening, or severe enough that child has difficulty participating in routine activities, or if any of the following symptoms are present:
RETURNING TO SCHOOL
When going back to normal activities it is recommended that students and staff take additional precautions for the next 5-10 days such as:
SYMPTOMS | an area of the skin that has changes in color or texture and may look inflamed or irritated. The skin may be darker than or lighter than normal or red or purple; skin may be, warm, scaly, bumpy, dry, itchy, swollen, or painful; it may also crack or blister
OK TO ATTEND WITH MILD SYMPTOMS as long as both of the following are true:
STAY HOME IF symptoms are not improving, worsening, or severe enough that child has difficulty participating in routine activities, or if any of the following symptoms are present:
RETURNING TO SCHOOL
When going back to normal activities it is recommended that students and staff take additional precautions for the next 5-10 days such as:
Note: For diagnosed conditions, follow the advice of the healthcare provider. In general, for conditions such as lice, impetigo, ringworm, scabies, and pinworms, no waiting period is typically necessary after starting treatment and the child may return after the appropriate treatment is started.
SYMPTOMS | painful throat, or pain when swallowing
OK TO ATTEND WITH MILD SYMPTOMS as long as both of the following are true:
STAY HOME IF symptoms are not improving, worsening, or severe enough that child has difficulty participating in routine activities, or if any of the following symptoms are present:
RETURNING TO SCHOOL
When going back to normal activities it is recommended that students and staff take additional precautions for the next 5-10 days such as:
Respiratory Virus Guidance Snapshot
Symptom Guidance - English | Symptom Guidance - Spanish
Other Languages
[Arabic] • [Armenian] • [Chinese-Simplified] • [Chinese-Traditional] • [Hmong] • [Khmer] • [Korean] • [Punjabi] • [Russian] • [Tagalog] • [Tahi] • [Vietnamese]