Students and teachers who get exposed to the coronavirus at school may now only have to quarantine for seven days, according to new guidelines from the Utah Department of Health.
Under the updated policy, individuals can return to the classroom early — rather than waiting the full 14 days — as long as they meet three criteria:
• They were tested for the virus a week after exposure and their results came back negative.
• They and the positive person who exposed them were both wearing masks at the time of contact. (School administrators are responsible for determining this.)
• And they do not have symptoms. If any develop, “they should isolate at home and call their health care provider.”
The changes were quietly approved by health officials and sent out in an email by state Superintendent Sydnee Dickson to district and charter administrators Thursday, without any public announcement. A