Plano ISD shortens quarantine period for students who have had ‘close contact’ with COVID-19

PLANO, TX – Plano ISD students who have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 will only have to self-quarantine for 10 days under new district guidelines that go into effect Jan. 1.

The district has also revised its definition of “close contact” to mean being “within six feet of an infectious person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more during a 24-hour period.” Whether those people in close contact were properly wearing masks will also be considered when determining if quarantine is necessary, the district said in an announcement last week.

The shorter quarantine period — it was previously 14 days for anyone who had close contact with another person who had tested positive for COVID-19 without themselves testing positive or showing symptoms — will align with the Centers for Disease Control and Texas Education Agency recommendations, Plano ISD said.

Over the winter break, parents will still have access to the COVID-19 student reporting form. Parents are asked to submit a report if their child tests positive for COVID-19, is showing symptoms of COVID-19, is awaiting a test result, or is quarantined due to close contact with a positive case, according to the district.

Reports submitted during the break will be reviewed and school nurses will be contacting parents with information on their child’s quarantine requirements and when the child may return to campus.

Students are not permitted to return to campus until they are cleared by the school nurse.

Parents who are unable to submit an electronic report may contact their child’s school nurse. The contact information for school nurses is available on campus websites.

Students return to school from the winter break on Jan. 4.

According to the district, parents should plan on keeping their child at home if:

• Your child or a household member is positive for COVID-19.
• Your child or a household member is waiting for COVID-19 test results.
• Your child is experiencing symptoms that could be COVID-19.
• Your child has been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 14 days.