Toms River Schools Update COVID Quarantine Guidelines

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The Toms River Regional Schools issued reminders to parents, staff and students Tuesday about updates to the state's COVID-19 health and safety guidelines, including the continuing requirement for masks in schools.

"Today Governor Phil Murphy extended the mask mandate (EO 251) under new Executive Order 281 for an additional 30 days," district officials said in a letter distributed Tuesday afternoon. "This does not alter the district’s current policy or procedures, as we have abided by EO 251 since it took effect. We will, however, continue to monitor the status of this mandate in 30 days and beyond, and if any changes are made, we will communicate them in a timely manner."

The district also said it is adopting the latest guidance on quarantines and isolation issued by the Centers for Disease Control and the state Department of Health.

The updates, which take effect Jan. 18, are as follows:

• People who test positive for COVID-19 should quarantine for at least five days (day 0 is the first day of symptoms or the day the positive viral test was taken for those who are asymptomatic) or, if symptoms persist after five days, until they have improved.
• Unvaccinated people who are deemed to be in close contact with a positive case should quarantine for five days; a negative test is recommended to return to school.

The school district updated its Quarantine Exclusion Criteria document.

"Because this guidance takes effect Jan. 18, it impacts those currently in quarantine and those who may enter quarantine today or tomorrow," the letter said. "If, therefore, you or your child are eligible to return to school sooner than anticipated based on these new guidelines, please contact your school immediately to inform them of you or your child’s return."

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