CDC Expected To Ease School COVID Guidelines: What It Means For CA

CALIFORNIA — Just three of the Golden State's 58 counties were classified as having "low" community levels of COVID-19 spread on Thursday, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Despite these figures, federal guidelines for schools may be further relaxed, according to a new report.

The CDC could announce the changes in the coming days, CNN reported. The CDC is expected to ease guidelines that address screening for the virus, as well as social distancing recommendations.

Regular COVID-19 screening in schools will likely be de-emphasized and the new measures are expected to loosen quarantine guidelines for those exposed to the virus, according to a preview of the plan obtained by CNN. The agency also reportedly plans to de-emphasize the 6-foot social distancing rule.

Instead of consistent screenings in schools, the CDC will likely suggest that testing be based on COVID-19 community levels and on higher-risk settings, such as nursing homes and prisons. The proposed changes have been revealed to some educators and public health officials and haven’t been finalized, as they are still being discussed, according to the report.

If enacted, the changes to COVID-19 guidelines are in line with/represent a big shift in COVID-19 policies for schools in California.

Under current California guidelines, students in K-12 schools who are diagnosed with COVID-19 must stay home for at least five days and wear a well-fitted mask around others for 10 days, especially indoors.

Testing is not required, but beginning Aug. 1, the state ramped up its supply of COVID-19 tests supplied to schools. The California Department of Public Health recommends that rapid antigen tests be considered the primary method of detecting infections in schools, instead of PCR tests.

Masks are not currently required in Golden State classrooms, but they are "strongly recommended" for all people, regardless of vaccination status, indoors. The state stopped requiring masks on March 12, but left the guidance up to counties in school districts to keep or get rid of the mask mandate.

The state has historically had some of the toughest school protocols on COVID-19 safety, but has been backing down in the recent months.

On Tuesday, officials of Los Angeles Unified took a step back from more stringent restrictions to match county guidelines. The district will end its weekly universal testing for coronavirus and baseline testing before the start of school, the Los Angeles Times reported.

“Everyone is tired of dealing with COVID,” Lynwood Unified Supt. Gudiel Crosthwaite said, according to the Times. “However, we have also learned a lot, and we now have better tools and technology at our disposal.”

"Masking will continue to be an important layer of protection along with the continued recommendations around vaccinations, testing and ventilation, to keep schools a safe environment, even as case rates and hospitalizations decline," according to CDPH guidance.

Vaccine requirements for students were postponed "at least" until the 2023-2024 school year, according to CDPH.

The state strongly recommended that students stay-up-date on vaccinations and that schools improve indoor air quality and ventilation.

The CDC did not comment on the report stating changes to COVID-19 guidelines were coming soon and offered Patch the following statement:

“The CDC is always evaluating our guidance as science changes and will update the public as it occurs.”

COVID-19 guidelines have varied widely even since 2020 when the pandemic began. Several states and local governments have since removed many or all restrictions.

In Georgia, Gov. Brian Kemp signed a law in March allowing parents to opt their children out of wearing masks at school, even in districts that mandate them. Local governments and schools in Texas and Florida have been barred from requiring masks since May 2021, when governors Greg Abbott and Ron DeSantis signed executive orders in their respective states.

Conversely, employees and volunteers at public schools in Washington, D.C. are required to be vaccinated, with exceptions for religious beliefs or medical conditions. In California, school staff must be vaccinated or tested weekly for COVID-19.