Resources for Businesses

Sector Specific Guidance & Requirements

Updated Guidance for Childcare & Preschools

On August 11, 2022 the CDC announced that quarantine is no longer recommended for people who are exposed to COVID-19 except in certain high-risk crowded settings, such as correctional facilities, homeless shelters and nursing homes. School and childcare programs are not general not considered high-risk settings.

People who are exposed to COVID-19 should wear a well-fitting mask and get tested. K-12 school and childcare administrators can decide how to further manage exposures based on the local context and access to in-person versus virtual learning. Accommodations may be needed for people who have difficulty wearing a well-fitting mask. Schools and childcare programs can also consider masking and/or testing in classrooms where a student was exposed who is unable to properly wear a mask. Schools and childcare programs that are experiencing an outbreak of COVID-19 should consider adding prevention strategies to reduce transmission. Some of these strategies could include masking, improving ventilation, testing and/or contact tracing.

You must still follow all isolation guidelines for those who test positive.

- Positive or probable COVID-19 cases need to stay home for 5 days after symptoms appear and continue to wear a mask around others for an additional 5 days. If they are symptom-free or symptoms are resolving after 5 days, individuals can resume activities outside of their homes. If they have a fever, they must continue to stay at home until the fever resolves.
  - Positive or probable COVID-19 cases who cannot mask for the additional 5 days must stay home for 10 days after symptoms appear AND until it has been 24 hours since they have had a fever (without the use of fever-reducing medications) AND have had symptom improvement.

Childcare facilities should also continue to notify ODJFS of those who test positive for COVID-19, per their requirements. Additionally, classrooms should still be notified that there was a case and that individuals in that classroom may have been exposed. This will allow families to make educated decisions on their children’s activities both inside and outside of your facility. We have letter templates that we can share with you to assist you with this notification.

See our what to do if you have been exposed or if you are sick page for more details.

Outbreaks are required to be reported to FCPH. Outbreaks are defined by ODH as two or more cases that have an epidemiological link (e.g., classroom, sports team, extracurricular club, lunchroom, etc.). If an outbreak or cluster is identified, you may need to contact trace and exclude children. To report an outbreak, please email Schools@franklincountyohio.gov.

This guidance below is intended for preschools, before/after care programs or daycares, even if licensed by the Ohio Department of Education. Please do not use the guidance outlined by ODH & FCPH that specific to K-12 public and private school settings. You may reach us with questions and concerns by completing the technical assistance request form by click on the blue box below.

Is it Allergies, Cold, Flu, COVID-19 or RSV?

CDC’s Guidance for Operating Child Care Programs during COVID-19