Explore Academics Students Families Community Schools School Board Superintendent Careers English▼ COVID-19 GUIDANCE COVID-19 Guidance Update Guía de COVID UPDATE TO AUGUST 10, 2021 CCPS Letter to Families and Staff: As an update, the State Public Health Commissioner issued on August 12, 2021 a Public Health Emergency Order. This Order will supersede School Board action on August 10, 2021. This Order declares a Statewide Requirement to Wear Masks in K-12 Schools. All individuals aged two and older are required to wear masks when indoors at public and private K-12 schools: “NOW THEREFORE, the State Health Commissioner, pursuant to§§ 32.1-13 and 32.1-20 of the Code of Virginia, hereby issues this Order finding that a public health emergency due to COVID-19 continues to exist, and requiring all individuals aged two and older to wear masks when indoors at public and private K-12 schools in order to inhibit spread of the virus, as recommended and described by the CDC. Exceptions to this Order include: A. Individuals eating, drinking, or sleeping; B. Individuals exercising or using exercise equipment; C. Any person who is playing a musical instrument when wearing a mask would inhibit the playing of the instrument (e.g., wind or brass instrument) so long as at least six feet of physical distance can be maintained from other persons; D. Any person who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance; E. Any person who has a disability or meets at-risk criteria or those assisting such persons, including individuals with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan under the Rehabilitation Act, where wearing a mask would inhibit communication or the receiving of services. F. When necessary to participate in a religious ritual; and G. Persons with health conditions or disabilities that prohibit wearing a mask. Nothing in this Order shall require the use of a mask by any person for whom doing so would be contrary to his or her health or safety because of a medical condition. Adaptations and alternatives for individuals with health conditions or disabilities should be considered whenever possible to increase the feasibility of wearing a mask to reduce the risk of COVID-1 9 spreading if it is not possible to wear one. Any person who declines to wear a mask because of a medical condition or any person with a sincerely held religious objection to wearing masks in school may request a reasonable accommodation. This Order shall be enforced pursuant to§ 32.1-27 of the Code of Virginia. This Order shall be effective August 12, 2021, and shall remain in full force and effect until the CDC guidelines for K-12 schools change, unless this Order is sooner amended or rescinded.” In addition to compliance with this Order: —Chesterfield Schools strongly encourages, but does not require, available vaccinations for students and staff. —Chesterfield Schools strongly encourages physical distancing when possible. —It is required that all individuals (including visitors, volunteers, etc.) wear masks when indoors (including at school orientations, back to school events, etc.) at all Chesterfield schools/offices/facilities and, in compliance with federal law, on Chesterfield school buses (and while loading/unloading school buses while on school property). —It is strongly encouraged that families contact the school nurse to develop a plan that best meets the needs of a student with a medical condition who may not be able to wear a mask. —Employees may remove masks when working alone in their designated work space but must wear a mask when using common areas and when interacting with others. —These requirements do not apply to individuals when outdoors. (**PLEASE NOTE: Virginia High School League activities and performing arts may have separate guidance.**) —The school division is required to conduct contact tracing of anyone who had a recent close contact with someone with COVID-19, which then requires a possible quarantine. PLEASE NOTE ONE EXCEPTION: In the K-12 indoor classroom setting, the close contact definition excludes students who were within 3 to 6 feet of an infected student (laboratory-confirmed or a clinically compatible illness) where both students were engaged in consistent and correct use of well-fitting masks. (This exception does not apply to teachers, staff, or other adults in the indoor classroom setting.) —The following self-assessments must be followed: Employee Daily Health Self-Assessment Form and Student Daily Health Self-Assessment Form. Also, the following is a reference for employees (Employee COVID-19 FAQs ). —This Order will supersede School Board action on August 10, 2021 that empowered the Superintendent to work with the Director of the Chesterfield Health District to adjust mask requirements as soon as possible. We will continue to keep you updated. ### COVID-19 DASHBOARD VDH case information PRESENTATION - COVID-19 Mitigation for the Opening of the 2021-22 School Year Student Health Assessment English Student Health Assessment Spanish Mask Exemption Procedure - Rev. 9-8-21 FAQ: When there is a COVID-19 Diagnosis - Rev. 10-7-21 Student Support for Extended Absences Employee Health Assessment Rev. 9-13-21 Employee Health Assessment FAQ Rev. 9-23-21 CDC Guidance: International Travel Public Health Emergency Order August 12, 2021 Governor Northam's Press ReleaseAugust 12, 2021 Project Restart 2020 - 2021 #oneCCPS Browser Support Open Government Compliance Guidelines Internet Privacy Statement Contact Chesterfield County Public Schools | 804.748.1405