As I spoke about in the accompanying video this letter details updates to our protocols about gatherings, travel and masks. These updates are designed to help us stay safe and stay open as case counts and positivity rates in the Lehigh Valley continue to be in the ‘substantial’ range. They are based on the state requirements Dr. Levine announced on Tuesday with input from our medical advisors and planning team. The health of our broader school community is directly impacted by the choices we make during our personal time outside of school. We want to continue in-person learning for as long as is safely possible. Our ability to do so depends upon the choices and actions of each and every member of our community.
What does this mean for all of us in the Swain community?
On Tuesday Dr. Levine issued new mask mandates including the following: When indoors, masks will now be required even if you are physically distant from people not in your household. This means that even if you are able to be six feet apart, you will need to wear a mask while inside if with people other than members of your household.
Mask Policy Update: In accordance with the new PA mandates, everyone will now wear masks at recess. We will take mask breaks during the day in addition to lunch and snack times. We trust our students will successfully make this adjustment as we know of other schools where the transition has occurred effectively.
Gatherings: Following Dr. Levine’s guidelines, high risk situations should be restricted where your child is unmasked and indoors with people who are not part of your immediate household. Examples include, but are not limited to, unmasked indoor gatherings with friends and family who don’t live under the same roof, unmasked indoor youth sports, and sleepovers, even with Swain friends. Scientific evidence suggests the risk of transmission in these situations is high.
Students participating in these high risk situations need to stay at home to learn remotely for 14 days. If you have any questions about a specific situation, please feel free to contact me.
Travel: Dr.Levine provided an important update regarding domestic and international travel. Now that all other states are effectively on the no travel list, any student who travels outside of PA will need to quarantine for 14 days. During this time students will be able to continue their studies remotely. Here is a link to Swain’s travel update from November 1. Individuals may not test out of the 14-day quarantine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can my family and I engage in safe holiday activities? The CDC has provided a wealth of information regarding safe holiday practices. The CDC and other healthcare experts have consistently noted that virtual gatherings with others and in-person celebrations limited to members of your household pose the least risk of transmission of Covid-19. Gatherings with individuals outside of your household should be kept outdoors, when possible. If celebrating with family members indoors, the recommendation is to wear masks, wash hands, and remain physically distant at all times.
What are the exemptions to the new PA travel order? The following individuals are exempt from the new PA travel order but shall conduct travel with adherence to social distancing and wearing of masks when in contact with other individuals.
- Individuals traveling to and from PA for the purposes of work.
- Individuals traveling to and from PA for medical reasons, including individuals providing comfort and support to the patient.
- Military personnel traveling to PA by order or directive of a state or federal military authority.
- Individuals in transit through PA to another destination provided that the time spent in PA is only the amount of time necessary to complete the transit; make use of travel services, such as a highway rest stop; or make any necessary travel connections.
Can I test out of quarantine post-travel or following close contact with a positive case? No, the CDC does not allow individuals to “test out” of quarantine.
Selected FAQ’s from Pennsylvania Department of Health
(Click here for link to all FAQ’s)
Do I need to wear a mask when around my family members or at a friend's house? Yes. A face covering is required when indoors and around persons who are not part of the same household. For example, if you are a part of a family of four who is hosting a dinner with extended family, friends or neighbors, all attendees must wear face coverings. If having dinner with just the persons who reside in the same home as you, you do not need to wear face coverings. If outdoors and able to maintain sustained physical distance, face coverings are recommended, but not required.
Does the Order apply to athletes and sports activities? Yes. Everyone who participates in sport activities including coaches, athletes (including cheerleaders), and spectators must wear a face covering, such as a mask, unless they fall under an exception in Section 3 of the Order.
Indoors: Coaches, athletes (including cheerleaders), and spectators must wear face coverings, when indoors and where another person or persons who are not members of the individual's household are present in the same space, irrespective of physical distance. This includes while actively engaged in workouts, competition, and on the sidelines, etc.
Under what circumstances are students permitted to remove their face coverings? School entities may allow students to remove face coverings when students are: Eating or drinking when spaced at least six feet apart; or when wearing a face covering creates an unsafe condition in which to operate equipment or execute a task; or at least six feet apart during "face-covering breaks" to last no longer than 10 minutes.
We need to get tested for COVID-19. Where can we go? Click here for testing locations affiliated with LVHN, and here for sites affiliated with St. Lukes.
