The Hawai`i Department of Health recognizes the health benefits of children attending school in person, including the fundamental links between education and long-term health outcomes. The updated Guidance for K-12 Schools provides multiple mitigation strategies that are designed to be layered, flexible, and aligned with CDC guidance, to help slow the spread of the SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and maintain safe school environments and operations.
The updated Guidance for K-12 Schools is based on the best available evidence at this time and will continue to be updated as new information becomes available. The most recent key changes to the Guidance for Schools are highlighted in the summary box below.
Summary of Guidance for School Changes, updates as of August 15, 2022
- Quarantine and cohorting are no longer recommended.
- Indoor masking should be strongly encouraged when COVID-19 Community Levels are at medium or high.*
- Schools should provide masks to students who do not have a mask at school but want to use one.*
- Universal indoor masking or targeted indoor masking (e.g., in a class or grade level) is strongly recommended in specific situations (e.g., high absenteeism, cluster of cases, outbreak).*
*Summary updates from July 15, 2022
Early Care and Education/Child Care Programs
Early Care and Education/Child Care Programs including DHS Registered Family Child Care Home Providers, Licensed Group Child Care Center Providers, Group Child Care Home Providers, Infant and Toddler Child Care Providers and Before and After School Child Care Providers should refer to DHS Guidelines for Child Care Facilities to Reopen or Continue Care for guidance on COVID-19 and Isolation and Quarantine.
Hawaii COVID-19 Community Levels
What is the Current 7 Day Average on Each Island?
Additional Resources
Identifying and Talking to Your Close Contacts
Comprehensive Guidance for K-12 Schools
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Isolation and Exposure Guidance for K-12 Schools
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