Mask Guidance

• As of February 22, 2022, universal masking is not required in school and childcare settings, however well-fitted masks (Espanol) are highly recommended for anyone 2 years and older in indoor public settings including schools, child care facilities, and when carpooling.
• As of February 22, 2022, masks are still required, per federal mandate, on public transportation.
• Effective February 25, 2022, the CDC does not require wearing of masks on buses or vans operated by public or private school systems, including early care and education/child care programs.
• Masks are required for persons who have tested positive for COVID-19 when in public settings during days 6-10 of isolation and quarantine, as indicated in the updated CDC isolation and quarantine guidance (Espanol).
• Outbreak and exposure mitigation strategies may include temporary periods of universal masking, as determined by Pitkin County Public Health (PCPH).
• Schools and child care facilities are entitled to set their own policies that are stricter than local and state guidance, which may include requiring masks for staff or students, requiring masking for classrooms with high risk staff/students, etc. PCPH provides signage for entities that wish to continue requiring masking.

Symptom Screening

• Parents should screen children for signs and symptoms (Espanol) of illness prior to attending school or school-associated events each day.
• All students/staff with COVID-19-like symptoms (Espanol) (regardless of vaccination status) should stay home and get tested.
  • Individuals who are waiting for test results should not attend school. Free community testing site providers will have most results returned the same day beginning February 7.
  • If you test positive, follow updated CDC isolation and quarantine guidance (Espanol).
  • All students/staff who test positive for COVID-19 (regardless of vaccination status) must stay home per updated CDC isolation and quarantine guidance (Espanol).
    • Those who test positive must stay home for at least 5 days from the start of symptoms (or from the test date if asymptomatic), then may discontinue isolation and wear a mask on days 6-10 if symptoms have improved or resolved.
      • PCPH recommends those wishing to discontinue at-home isolation on day 6 be tested using an antigen test before returning to school or child care.
    • Those who have tested positive for COVID-19 who cannot (e.g. young children) or are unwilling to wear a mask must stay home for 10 days (Espanol) from the start of symptoms (or 10 days from the date of the positive COVID-19 test, if asymptomatic).
  • If you test negative, stay home until symptoms have resolved and per school or child care facility policy. 

How to calculate your 5-day isolation period 

To calculate your 5-day isolation period, day 0 is your first day of symptoms. Day 1 is the first full day after your symptoms developed. You can leave isolation after 5 full days if symptoms have improved or resolved but must wear a mask for days 6-10.

Exposure to someone with COVID-19 at home

If someone in your household tests positive for COVID-19, other household members should follow CDC quarantine guidance (Espanol).

Exposure to someone with COVID-19 at school

• When one case of COVID-19 is identified, schools should consult with PCPH to determine if any mitigation is required.
• If a cluster of cases (i.e. 2 or more) are identified in a classroom or other school setting, mitigation measures will be determined by PCPH in consultation with the school or child care and may include:
  • Temporary universal masking
  • Masking for specific individuals or groups
  • Testing
  • Cohorting

Non-Essential Visitation Guidance to Child Care Facilities

As of February 23, 2022, neither the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) nor the Colorado Office of Early Childhood (OEC) have provided requirements that child care facilities must follow with respect to non-essential visitation. Although Pitkin County Public Health has not established requirements that child care facilities must follow when considering whether or not to permit non-essential visitors into the facility, this document outlines specific recommendations to prevent transmission of COVID-19.