COVID-19 School and Child Care Information

Check the provincial testing criteria(external link) to determine if your child is eligible for COVID-19 testing. Use the chart below to determine when your child should be tested:

Students and children are required to stay home from school or child care if anyone in their household has new or worsening symptoms of COVID-19 and has been recommended for isolation and testing.

All asymptomatic household contacts of symptomatic individuals are required to quarantine, without exemption, even for essential reasons, until the symptomatic household member:

• receives a negative COVID-19 test result; or
• receives an alternative diagnosis by a health care professional.

If the symptomatic individual tests positive, or is not tested and does not receive an alternative diagnosis from a health care professional, the symptomatic individual must isolate (including from household members) for 10 days from symptom onset. If the child is unable to self-isolate safely (in a separate room, away from other family members), then an adult will have to self-isolate with the child and both of them will need to stay away from other family members within the home. All household contacts must isolate until 14 days from their last contact with the symptomatic individual.

If an individual tests negative for COVID-19, they may return to school if it has been at least 24 hours since their symptoms started improving, providing:

• They pass the Ontario COVID-19 screening tool and
• They do not have a fever (without using medication) and
• There is no known high-risk exposure and
• The individual is not advised by Halton Region Public Health or health care provider to self-isolate

Halton Region Public Health will provide direction for return to school when an individual tests positive for COVID-19

There are different types of COVID-19 testing available. A summary can be found on Halton Region’s COVID-19 Information and Guidance webpage (see Testing and results under COVID-19 core information).

For individuals who have symptoms of COVID-19 or were exposed to someone with COVID-19, the preferred testing is by molecular PCR test, which is available through assessment centres and some physician offices. Students, school staff and visitors who do not pass their daily COVID-19 screening should get tested. Testing at local assessment centres (external link) is easy to access and turnaround times for test results in Halton are very good.

When there is concern of ongoing COVID-19 transmission at a school or child care, Public Health will work with the school board or the child care centre and Ontario Health partners to make the molecular PCR testing more accessible for the particular school/child care community. This is a rare situation and in Halton, we have not required this for any of our schools or child care centres to date.

The Ontario Government is requiring school boards to offer voluntary, targeted COVID-19 testing sites for asymptomatic staff and students. Your school will let you know if it is participating in this program. For more information on COVID-19: asymptomatic targeted testing in schools (external link) see the Ontario Ministry of Education’s COVID-19: reopening schools web page (external link).

If someone in a school or child care setting tests positive for COVID-19 and an individual is a close contact, the individual will receive a letter from Halton Region Public Health with information on how and when to get tested for COVID-19 as well as additional actions for the individual and their family.

Public Health will maintain the confidentiality of the individual who tested positive for COVID-19. Also, Public Health will work closely with school administration or child care operator to provide appropriate communication to all families.

To maintain individual privacy, school/child care staff or parents/guardians will only be contacted by Halton Region Public Health if their child(ren) are identified as a close contact of a confirmed case, and further information about the individual case or outbreak will not be shared publicly.

As every situation is unique, Public Health will determine the risk level of contacts as part of their case investigation. There are many things we take into consideration while doing our risk assessment, which is consistent across Ontario. For example, we explore if the confirmed or probable case:

• was symptomatic, pre-symptomatic, or asymptomatic;
• was at school during the time they were considered infectious;
• is a student or staff member;
• knows the source of their infection (if they do, it is unlikely they got it at the school but if they do not, then we have to consider the school as the site where they may have become infected).

We also explore:

• the age group/grade;
• developmental stage;
• ability to wear appropriate personal protective equipment;
• the type of activities the person was involved in while at school; and
• the current IPAC practices at the school and of staff member and students, including:
  • Physical distancing
  • Desk spacing
  • Masking
  • Cohorting

The most important piece of information is if the individual was at school during the time they were considered infectious. All of the other information is taken together to help Public Health staff determine risk. Close contacts with high-risk exposure are asked to self-isolate and seek testing.

An outbreak would be declared in a school or child care setting once it has been determined that there are two positive cases with an epidemiological link (for example, these children could have become infected with COVID-19 at school/child care either from each other or a common source). Each case will need to be assessed and it would need to be determined that transmission occurred in the school or child care setting before confirming it as an outbreak since it is possible that children could have been infected outside the school/child care setting.

Once an outbreak in a school or child care is confirmed, Halton Region Public Health would communicate with the school administrator or child care operator to let them know and provide further direction on actions to take. Public Health would continue to investigate to identify any other close contacts and will determine if a one or more classrooms or the entire school would need to be closed.

To maintain individual privacy, school staff or parents/guardians will only be contacted by Halton Region Public Health if their child(ren) are identified as a close contact of a confirmed case, and further information about the individual case or outbreak will not be shared publicly.

• The Ministry of Education requires students in Grades 1 to 12 to wear non-medical or cloth masks indoors in school, including in hallways and during classes, as well as on school vehicles. Where physical distancing cannot be maintained, students are required to wear masks outdoors.
• Students in Kindergarten are to be encouraged but not required to wear masks.
• All younger children (aged 2 to SK) are encouraged, but not required to wear a mask while on the premises, including in hallways.
• Masks are not recommended for children under the age of two.
• Reasonable exceptions on the requirement to wear masks will apply. Exemption documentation is not required.
• Students may wear their own non-medical masks Parents are responsible for providing and maintaining cleanliness of the mask.
• Schools and school boards may choose to implement additional masking measures based on local circumstances.

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, refer to Use of Non-Medical Masks or Face Coverings in Schools (PDF file) fact sheet.

When masks are not being worn while at school or child care, masks should be stored in a clean bag or container between uses.

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. Alternatively, use a labeled, cleanable container with a lid or a sealable plastic bag.

If a paper bag or envelope is used, discard at the end of each day. If a reusable container with a lid is used, clean and disinfect it at the end of each day. Lanyards and pockets are not recommended for mask storage.

The letter identifies you or your child as a high-risk contact of a COVID-19 case and are directed to self-isolate for 14 days from the date indicated on the letter you received from school or child care.

Follow the instructions in the letter you received from Halton Region Public Health.

Your asymptomatic household members should also stay home for 14 days except for essential reasons (work, school/child care, essential groceries/pharmacy) while you/your child are self-isolating.

If the high-risk contact is not able to self-isolate safely (in a separate room, away from other family members), then an adult will have to self-isolate with the high-risk contact and both of them will need to stay away from other family members within the home (for example, keep siblings isolated away from each other).

Should the high-risk contact develop symptoms, all household contacts are required to self-isolate until either the symptomatic person receives a negative COVID-19 test result or receives an alternate diagnosis by their health care provider. If the household contacts are asymptomatic and fully vaccinated, they may not need to self-isolate.

If the symptomatic person does not seek COVID-19 testing, all household contacts must isolate for 14 days from their last contact with that symptomatic person. If the household contacts are asymptomatic and fully vaccinated, they may not need to self-isolate.

Follow the instructions in the letter you received from Halton Region Public Health.

If the high-risk member in your household does develop COVID-19 symptoms during their self-isolation period, notify public health by calling 311 and get tested immediately.

If you do not develop symptoms, get tested on or after day 7 of isolation.

Continue the self-isolation for 14 days even if you receive a negative test result. If you develop COVID-19 symptoms after a negative test, get re-tested and notify public health.

As a high-risk contact you can only go to an assessment centre for testing.

If you are a resident of Oakville, Milton or Halton Hills:

• Book an appointment at a Halton Healthcare Assessment & Testing Centre (external link)
  • Phone: 905-203-7963
  • Website: Halton Healthcare Assessment & Testing Centre (external link)

If you are a resident of Burlington:

• Book an appointment at Joseph Brant Hospital COVID-19 Assessment Centre (external link)
  • Phone: 905-632-3737, extension 6550

Follow the most recent letter if you have received more than one.

Variants of concern are increasing in our community. They can spread faster and this is the reason for the self-isolation date in your letter. The isolation dates have been carefully calculated and as a high-risk contact, your child will need to self-isolate even if they were not at school/child care on date of class dismissal.

The high-risk member in your household is required to self-isolate if they are an in class learner, even if they were not at school/child care on the first date of isolation indicated on your letter from Halton Region Public Health.

Follow up with your school principal.

A child will need to self-isolate at home if they:

• have symptoms of COVID-19;
• have a known exposure to COVID-19; or
• tested positive for COVID-19.

Every family situation is different. There are several ways to support your child’s mental health and physical health, while ensuring the safety of your child and the rest of your household:

• Talk openly with your child about any questions or worries they may have about self-isolation. Provide cuddles but avoid direct contact with saliva or body fluids.
• Consider having one parent/caregiver care for the child, if possible. They should limit contact with other household members as much as possible (have separate meal times, and sleep in a separate room, use a separate play area, and their own bathroom).
• Limit sharing common household items and clean and disinfect all items between use.
• Masks should be worn as often as possible and fit well, covering the nose, mouth and chin. Children must be at least 2 years old to wear a mask, and be able to remove it.

For more information, please refer to How to care for a child who needs to self-isolate (external PDF) fact sheet from Public Health Ontario (external link).

You may need to self-isolate if you live with a person who:

• was exposed to COVID-19, but does not have symptoms;
• was exposed to COVID-19 and has symptoms;
• tested positive for COVID-19;
• returned from international travel and is required to self-isolate; or
• has symptoms of COVID-19.

For more information, please refer to How to care for a child who needs to self-isolate (external PDF) fact sheet from Public Health Ontario (external link).

If you received a letter from Halton Region Public Health, please follow the instructions in the letter.

For more information about how to self-isolate (external PDF) please visit our COVID-19 Information and Guidance web page.

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 (in accordance with the Section 22 Class Order (PDF file)).

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.

For further information, please refer to our fact sheet, Public Health Tips for Parents on Sharing Child Custody and Co-Parenting during the COVID-19 Pandemic (PDF file).