COVID-19: ADULT SCHOOL PROCEDURES

COVID PROTOCOLS

Individuals with Symptoms

• Remain at home for at least 24 hours from the day of symptom onset.
• May return if 24 hours have passed with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications AND symptoms are mild and improving.
• Recommended to wear a mask when around other people indoors for the 10 days after you became sick or tested positive. You may remove a mask sooner than 10 days if you have two sequential negative tests at least one day apart.

Individuals with No Symptoms

• There is no required isolation or exclusion.
• If you develop symptoms later, follow the symptom guidelines above.
• Recommended to wear a mask when around other people indoors for the 10 days after you became sick or tested positive. You may remove a mask sooner than 10 days if you have two sequential negative tests at least one day apart. 

Isolation Guidance

• Isolation should last for at least 5 days from the date of positive test collection or date of symptom onset, whichever came first.
• Students and staff may return to school after Day 5, if they are well with no symptoms, or symptoms are mild or improving, and they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication
• A negative test is no longer required to return

Masking

• Per Cal OSHA, a mask must be worn until Day 11 if an employee comes back by Day 10 or sooner.
• The CDPH encourages students to wear a mask when around others until Day 11 but it is not required. According to the CDPH, if a student chooses to wear one, they may remove their mask after two negative tests 24 hours apart.

Household Members

Close contacts may continue to attend school as long as they are not symptomatic. Anyone, vaccinated or not, who develops COVID-like symptoms should get tested.

Why Test with an Antigen?

A rapid antigen test will show whether someone has a high enough viral level to be potentially infectious now.

Where is Testing Available?

District Office
25 Churchill Avenue
Monday – Friday
8:00 am – 5:00 pm

MASKS
What are the requirements regarding masks?

Masks are no longer required per State regulations but are highly recommended by the Palo Alto Adult School.

Teachers with underlying medical conditions or are immunocompromised may request masking at their discretion.

SOCIAL DISTANCING
What are the requirements related to social distancing?

Social distancing is no longer required.

VENTILATION
How has PAUSD addressed ventilation concerns?

We have worked with mechanical engineers, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) design professionals, and mechanical contractors in order to evaluate our ventilation systems in regards to the ASHRAE guidance.

We have maximized air filtration for HVAC systems by using filters with a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of at least 13 and made other modifications to increase the quantity of outside air and ventilation in classrooms, offices and other spaces.

Portable high-efficiency air cleaners have also been deployed where needed.

Engineering systems are in place for when the amount of outside air needs to be minimized due to other hazards, such as heat and wildfire smoke.

SCREENING
Will students or staff be required to have their temperature taken?

No.

VACCINATIONS
Will students or staff be required to provide proof of vaccination?

No.