VCS Updates Quarantining Protocols Per New Florida Surgeon General

DeLand, FL – Volusia County Schools (VCS) is implementing a Florida Department of Health Emergency Rule issued Wednesday by the new Florida Surgeon General. The protocols are related to student quarantining and contact tracing, effective immediately. Under the Emergency Rule, if a student is exposed to COVID-19 but is asymptomatic, only a parent or guardian can determine whether to quarantine their child. The new Emergency Rule allows exposed students to attend school and participate in school activities as long as they show no symptoms or test positive for COVID-19. The parent/guardian also has the option to quarantine the child for up to seven days from the date the exposure occurred. The new Emergency Rule is reflected in the Decision Tree Student Protocol. The protocol outlines the procedures schools and families must follow if a student tests positive for COVID-19 or is exposed to the virus. The VCS’ mandatory face-covering policy, which allows parents and guardians to opt their children out, remains in place.  Students in grades K-12 are required to wear face masks or shields while indoors at schools and facilities and while on school buses, unless the parent chooses to opt-out of the mandatory face-covering policy. Adults are also required to wear face-coverings at schools and VCS facilities. Additional information about COVID-19 health and safety is available at the Volusia County Schools’ COVID-19 Information site at www.vcsedu.org/covid-19-information. (we are updating this website to reflect the changes now)