FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. — Fairfax County Public Schools announced changes to its COVID-19 policies Friday.
According to a parent email from Superintendent Dr. Scott Brabrand, the time students spend in quarantine will be reduced and COVID testing will be available at schools starting Monday, Nov. 15.
The student quarantine period will be reduced to 10 days for school exposures starting Nov. 15. The child must be symptom-free and provide a copy of the FCPS pause before the child can return to school.
The second option for students to return would be 14 days after the school exposure with a copy of the clearance email from the health department.
The reduced quarantine period is a result of Fairfax County's transmission rate decreasing from "substantial" to "moderate" and a growing number of students getting the vaccine, the letter from Dr. Brabrand reads.
“It is hopeful for better things. I’m really happy we’re moving that direction because it seems what I can read that’s what the evidence suggests,” FCPS parent Eleanore Goldstein said.
Dr. Brabrand said in the letter he's optimistic the quarantine period could be reduced further in the coming weeks.
"I am optimistic that as more of our youngest students are vaccinated, we plan to move to a 7-day quarantine period in early December, and dial back other layered prevention strategies, while still keeping CDC guidance at the forefront of every decision," Brabrand said.
This comes as welcome news to Alisha Martin who said her children just went through a long quarantine process.
“They were home from school from the 14th and they just went back Monday, November 8th,” Martin said. "It's almost like they would have been better testing positive. If we tested negative why couldn’t they go back right away.”
Starting Monday, Nov. 15 FCPS will also start testing unvaccinated students with parental consent.
Also starting on Monday, testing will be required for unvaccinated student-athletes between the ages of 12-15 to play VHSL sports. Students older than 16 are required to be vaccinated.
You can read Superintendent Braband's full letter below:
Parents/Guardians, please keep your child at home until one of the following quarantine periods is met:
● 10 days of quarantine, your child remains symptom-free AND you provide a copy of the FCPS pause letter indicating the return to school date; or
● 14 days of quarantine and you provide a copy of the clearance email from the health department.
The transmission rate in Fairfax County recently decreased from “substantial” to “moderate.” More than 71% of our community ages 12 and older have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Since schools opened in August, we have seen a very low rate of in-school transmission of COVID-19 at just 0.02%.
We must balance the need to keep students in the classroom while also ensuring that we are adhering to layered prevention strategies that are appropriate for our community transmission rates. I believe this decision achieves both.
Voluntary Screening
Monday, November 15, FCPS will also be moving ahead with voluntary screening testing for unvaccinated students. The portal to register is now open.
Student-Athlete Screening
Student-athlete screening testing will also begin on November 15 and details will be sent to families of unvaccinated athletes. Screening testing is a highly recommended strategy to reduce COVID-19 transmission and keep our schools and workplaces safe.
I am optimistic that as more of our youngest students are vaccinated, we plan to move to a 7-day quarantine period in early December, and dial back other layered prevention strategies, while still keeping CDC guidance at the forefront of every decision. I would like to thank everyone in our community for working together to keep our schools a safe place for our students and staff.
Sincerely,
Scott S. Brabrand
Superintendent