COVID-19 School and Child Care Information for Parents

• For more information on what to do if your child tests negative for COVID-19, please visit Halton’s COVID-19 Information and Guidance webpage.
• Ensure the Ontario COVID-19 School and Child Care Screening Tool (external link) is completed prior to returning to school and always follow the direction provided from the results.

• For more information on what to do if your child tests positive for COVID-19, please visit Halton’s COVID-19 Information and Guidance webpage.
• Ensure the Ontario COVID-19 School and Child Care Screening Tool (external link) is completed prior to returning to school and always follow the direction provided from the results.

There is no requirement for parent(s)/guardians/principals/child care operators to report a positive PCR/RAT result to public health.

Non-medical masks are safe to use, even among children.

In terms of risks, continuous mask use may be associated with facial skin lesions, rashes and acne. In younger age groups, there are potential risks related to language and social development. Also, there is a risk of self-contamination if an individual touches or moves their mask with dirty hands. Therefore, it is important to incorporate hand hygiene with mask use.

Overall, Halton Region Public Health recommends the use of non-medical masks as an additional measure to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The following are tips for how to care for your mask:

• Clearly identify your mask with names or initials, to avoid confusion or accidentally using another person’s mask.
• It can be helpful to label your mask to indicate top/bottom and front/back.
• Do not share or swap your mask with others, or touch a mask belonging to someone else.
• Your mask should be stored a clean place (for example, individually labeled container or sealed bag).
• A mask should not be worn if it is wet, damp or dirty.
• Cloth masks should be washed after every day of use and/or before being used again, or if visibly soiled.
• Wash your cloth mask by putting it directly into the washing machine, using a hot cycle, and then dry thoroughly.
• Discard disposable masks in a plastic lined garbage bin after use.
• Families should consider providing an additional mask for children in case a back-up mask is needed during the day and to facilitate every day washing of a cloth mask.

For more information on masking please refer to Halton’s COVID-19 Information and Guidance webpage and fact sheet Use of Non-Medical Masks or Face Coverings in Schools (PDF file) fact sheet.

Schools and Child Care Settings:

As per provincial changes, as of March 21, 2022, masking will no longer be required for most students, staff, and visitors in schools and child care settings and during student transportation. However, masks will be required in certain circumstances such as:

• Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 and have completed a minimum of 5 days of isolation can return to school but will be required to mask until Day 10.
• Close contacts and household contacts of individuals with COVID-19 who do not have to isolate are required to wear a mask for 10 days after exposure.
• Unvaccinated children 5 to 11 years of age who have recently traveled outside of Canada, have need to wear a mask in public settings (including schools and day camps) for 14 days after arrival to Canada. Fully vaccinated children and children under 5 years of age returning from travel are not required to wear a mask.

Wearing a mask is an effective public health measure for reducing the spread of COVID-19, and many students and staff may choose to continue to wear masks when at school or child care depending on their own risk, the risk of those close to them, vaccination status, and comfort level.

The best storage option is a labeled paper bag or envelope as these materials do not retain moisture which could allow bacteria to grow on the mask. If a paper bag or envelope is used, discard at the end of each day.

Alternatively, use a labeled cleanable container with a lid or a sealable plastic bag. If a reusable container with a lid is used, clean and disinfect it at the end of each day.

Fanny packs, pockets and break-away lanyards that release when pulled or when pressure is applied, may be used for temporary mask storage (e.g. during outdoor play).

It is recommended that every person required to self-isolate stay in one place, living with the fewest people possible, for the entire time they are required to self-isolate.

Parents who share custody or co-parent may wish to adjust usual shared parenting arrangements.

For example:

• If the child is the one required to self-isolate, allow the child to remain in one home until the self-isolation period is complete.
• If a parent is required to self-isolate, allow the child to remain in the home of the other parent (who is not self-isolating) until the self-isolation period is complete

If you have a lawyer assisting you with family law matters, you may wish to seek their advice. If you do not have a lawyer, the Law Society of Ontario website (external link) also includes information about its emergency family law referral service as well as contact information for Legal Aid Ontario (external link).

Halton Region Public Health is not able to provide parents with legal advice on their family law obligations, including those established by an agreement or court order.

• Please visit Halton’s COVID-19 Information and Guidance webpage for more information on how to self-isolate.