Oconee Schools Announce COVID-19 Protocols For Aug. 4 Opening

Oconee County Schools will open on Aug. 4 with all in-person instruction.

As was the case last year, masks will not be required, but those students who choose to wear a mask are “welcome to do so.”

COVID-19 vaccinations also are not required for employees or students.

As in the past, school administrators will send a notice to parents of students informing them if a student in the classroom tests positive for COVID-19.

Positive cases will be reported to the Department of Public Health, and the Department of Public Health, rather than Oconee County Schools, will be responsible for contact tracing.

The Department of Public Health, rather than Oconee County Schools, also will notify those who need to quarantine.

The school system will follow Georgia Department of Public Health guidelines stating that students and staff diagnosed with COVID-19 should stay at home for 10 days from the onset of symptoms.

These are the protocols spelled out by school administrators at the regular meeting of the Board of Education on July 19 and in an email message from Superintendent Jason Branch to parents on July 22.

For more on the story, please go to Oconee County Observations. A video of the meeting on July 19 is embedded at the end of the report.