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SALEM, Ore. — Oregon state officials announced Tuesday that quarantine and isolation requirements for child care centers can be reduced from 10 to five days as long as other COVID-19 precautions are observed.
The shortened quarantine period is only authorized if the entire class or group in child care wears masks.
The Oregon Dept. of Education’s Early Learning Division “highly recommends” that everyone in child care settings age two or older wear masks. Those kindergarten age or older are required to wear masks under state rules.
“We know the 10-day period has been difficult for families to manage and has affected business operations for providers,” said Early Learning Division director Alyssa Chatterjee. “This adjustment should give greater flexibility to help respond to COVID-19 cases in care, while still keeping a focus on safety.”
The change comes as a result of new CDC guidance for child care settings released January 28, Oregon officials said. There are differences between this guidance and the kind applied for K-12 schools.
“Protection through a COVID-19 vaccine is not yet available for the youngest children,” said Oregon Health Authority health officer and state epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger. “While masks are recommended for all individuals two years old and up, there are child care sites where children under age five do not wear masks.
“The nature of interactions in these settings results in prolonged and often close contact. Masking helps to decrease the risk of spread and allow for a shorter return after illness or exposure into these settings with low rates of vaccination overall, especially with the high amounts of community spread throughout Oregon.”
In child care settings, people who are vaccinated or have had COVID-19 in the last 90 days do not need to quarantine under Oregon rules, but should monitor for symptoms.
If an entire classroom or group does not mask, children and staff can return after seven days if a negative test is produced between days five and seven of quarantine.
“Decisions to shorten quarantine should be made in consultation with the Local Public Health Authority,” the Early Learning Division said. “Child care programs may not completely eliminate quarantine with negative tests and universal masks at this time. Increasing access to tests for staff and children remains a goal of OHA.”
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