Starting AUGUST 29, 2022, the projected changes are:
- Masks will be mandatory when community levels are SUBSTANTIAL/HIGH, and if your child is exposed to someone with known or expected COVID-19. Masks will be optional when community levels are LOW/MODERATE. Please let your child’s teacher know whether or not you would like your child masked when the community levels are low. [Children do not mask while napping or eating (children over 2-yrs of age only)]. https://coronavirus.maryland.gov will be used to determine COVID-19 community levels in our area. A sign will be posted outside the Open Arms front doors stating if masks need to be worn.
- All temperature checks and symptom screenings* should be done BEFORE entering our building.
- Handwashing when entering the building will be encouraged. The hand sanitation station will remain.
- Parents will be able to enter classrooms.
*BEFORE you enter Open Arms, you need to acknowledge our Mandatory Symptom Screening. Please do NOT enter if your child has had-
- any fever or felt warm or feverish/chills within the last 48 hours.
- a cough or any shortness of breath, or recent loss of taste or smell within the last 48 hours.
- symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, headache, body aches, or fatigue within the last 48 hours.
Staff or Student/Child with Guidance for Management
COVID-19 symptoms (see above) • Staff or student/child may not attend or work in a school or child care setting
• COVID-19 testing is required
• If the test is negative, may return when symptoms have improved, no fever for 24 hours without medication and applicable criteria in the Communicable Diseases Summary have been met
Positive test for COVID-19 regardless of symptoms • Staff or student/child must stay home for 5 days from the start of symptoms or from the date of the positive test if no symptoms
• After day 5, may return if symptoms have improved and no fever for at least 24 hours without medication
• Upon return, must wear a mask for 5 additional days (except while eating, drinking, sleeping or outside)
• If unable to wear a mask, may return if they have a negative test at day 5 or later; otherwise, they should remain at home for days 6 -10
Close contact with someone with known or suspected COVID-19 but no symptoms • Staff or student/child can continue to work in or attend school and child care regardless of vaccination status
• Those who can mask should do so for 10 days from the last day of exposure
• A test at 3-5 days after exposure is recommended, especially for those who cannot mask (ex. children under 2 years of age).
CDC’s Indicators of Community Transmission
Indicator Low Transmission Moderate Transmission Substantial Transmission High Transmission
Total new cases per 100,000 persons in the past 7 days 0-9 10-49 50-99 ≥100
Percentage of Nucleic Acid Amplification Test results that are positive during the past 7 days <5.0% 5.0%-7.9% 8.0%-9.9% ≥10.0%
Rebecca Stewart
Director
Open Arms Christian CDC
Laurel, Maryland
(240)568-9352