
They also employ people, and enable parents, guardians, and caregivers to work. They provide safe and supportive learning environments for students that support social and emotional development, provide access to critical services, and improve life outcomes. Schools are an important part of the infrastructure of communities. COVID-19 Prevention Strategies Most Important for Safe In-Person Learning in K-12 Schools The adoption and implementation of this guidance should be done in collaboration with regulatory agencies and state, local, territorial, and tribal public health departments, and in compliance with state and local policies and practices. This CDC guidance is meant to supplement-not replace-any federal, state, local, territorial, or tribal health and safety laws, rules, and regulations with which schools must comply. This guidance is based on current scientific evidence and lessons learned from schools implementing COVID-19 prevention strategies. This guidance emphasizes implementing layered prevention strategies (e.g., using multiple prevention strategies together) to protect students, teachers, staff, and other members of their households, and to support in-person learning. This updated version of COVID-19 guidance for school administrators outlines strategies for K-12 schools to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and maintain safe operations. Appendix 2: Testing Strategies for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools.Section 2: Additional Considerations for K-12 Schools.Section 1: Prevention Strategies to Reduce Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Schools.

COVID-19 Prevention Strategies Most Important for Safe In-Person Learning in K-12 Schools.Added language on safety and health protections for workers in K-12 schools.In general, people do not need to wear masks when outdoors.Updated to align with current mask guidance.Updated to align with guidance for fully vaccinated people.For example, because of the importance of in-person learning, schools where not everyone is fully vaccinated should implement physical distancing to the extent possible within their structures (in addition to masking and other prevention strategies), but should not exclude students from in-person learning to keep a minimum distance requirement.Added language on the importance of offering in-person learning, regardless of whether all of the prevention strategies can be implemented at the school.Revised to emphasize the COVID-19 prevention strategies most important for in-person learning for K-12 schools.Updated to emphasize the need for localities to monitor community transmission, vaccination coverage, screening testing, and occurrence of outbreaks to guide decisions on the level of layered prevention strategies.

