On Monday, July 12, 2021, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released updated K-12 Schools Guidance which modifies previous guidance for all schools for the 2021-2022 school year.
“This guidance is designed to enable all schools to offer and provide full in-person instruction to all students safely, consistent with the current scientific evidence about COVID-19, even if pandemic dynamics shift throughout the school year, affected by vaccination rates and the potential emergence of viral variants.”
The guidance also emphasizes the importance and requirement of the wearing of masks indoors by all individuals on school campuses, regardless of vaccination status.
CDPH has also lifted all physical distancing requirements as recent evidence suggests in-person instruction can safely occur when other mitigation strategies are in place, such as mandatory masking.
In addition, the following areas are emphasized:
- Ventilation of all indoor spaces will continue to be optimized for the safety of staff and students.
- Recommendations for staying home when sick and getting tested when symptoms are consistent with COVID-19 remain in place to reduce the risk of spread of the virus in schools.
- Effective contact tracing and case investigation.
- Students, teachers, and staff should stay home when they have signs of any infectious illness and be referred to their healthcare provider for testing and care.
- Continue to promote healthy hand hygiene behaviors throughout the day, and routine daily cleaning of classrooms and school facilities.
BUSD will implement all guidance recommendations from CDPH as well as the Santa Clara County Public Health Department to the fullest extent possible. We are currently reviewing the updated guidance and further clarifications, and will revise our district’s COVID-19 Health and Safety Plan accordingly.
As we have all grown accustomed to, changes do occur and sometimes quickly. We will keep our community and staff informed of all related developments as we approach the beginning of August.
