Interim guidance for childcare programs and K-12 schools

This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about the transmission and severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Currently, in the United States, the risk of COVID-19 for the general public is low. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will update this guidance as needed and as additional information becomes available. Please check the CDC website periodically for updated interim guidance.Although precautions are necessary to prevent the entry and spread of COVID-19 into US communities, care should be taken to avoid stigmatizing students and staff who may have been exposed to the virus. Childcare programs and K-12 schools offer a welcoming, respectful, inclusive, and supportive environment to all and should continue to do so. Measures taken by US childcare programs and K-12 schools should help prevent the entry and spread of COVID-19 by students and staff who may have been exposed to the virus while minimizing disruption and protecting students and staff from discrimination.This interim guidance is intended primarily for administrators* of public and private childcare programs and K-12 schools in the United States to help prevent the introduction of COVID-19 into their facilities. It recommends actions that school administrators should take now to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 among students and staff and to help maintain continuity of teaching and learning if there is community spread of COVID-19 in the future. This interim guidance also suggests strategies to consider if public health officials determine that COVID-19 is spreading in US communities and educational settings.Planning and Preparedness Recommendations for All US Schools Nationwide -- Response Recommendations for Schools in US Jurisdictions with Laboratory-Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Infection -- Definitions Used in this Guidance -- For More Information.2020738