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Understanding provincial isolation requirements
Wed, 26 Jan, 2022
Earlier this month, the Government of Alberta changed the isolation requirements for children and adults who are fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated or not vaccinated. The changes include new requirements students need to follow when they return to school after a five-day isolation.
To keep schools as safe as possible, families must monitor their children for illness using the daily health checklist and understand the provincial requirements for staying home.
ISOLATION REQUIREMENTS
FULLY VACCINATED
If your child is fully vaccinated and has symptoms or tests positive for COVID-19, they are legally required to isolate for at least five days or until they no longer have symptoms, whichever is longer.
If your child has isolated for five days and you are sending them back to school, there are a few things to keep in mind. For another five days after the isolation period, the province requires your child to:
- always wear a mask when they’re around others, inside and outside of the school, including at recess
- eat lunch by themselves to keep everyone safe
- avoid intense physical education activities, like gym, and extracurricular athletics that may not be safe while wearing a mask
Schools will work with families to accommodate students during this five-day period, which will include identifying a space where the student can eat lunch.
If your child is returning to class after a five-day isolation, we encourage you to reach out to your school to discuss a plan for your child before they return.
PARTIALLY VACCINATED OR UNVACCINATED
If your child is partially vaccinated or not vaccinated and has symptoms or tests positive for COVID-19, they are legally required to isolate for at least 10 days or until they no longer have symptoms, whichever is longer.
IF YOUR CHILD HAS SYMPTOMS AND TESTS NEGATIVE
If your child tests negative and has symptoms, you should keep them home and away from others until their symptoms are gone.
