Please see the attached updated guidance from our NH DHHS regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
One key change is the CDC modified its guidance on 3/4/2020 for Level 3 countries (China, Iran, Italy and South Korea) and Level 2 countries (Japan). Travelers to level 3 countries should “stay home and monitor their health for 14 days after returning to the United States.” This would include staying home and monitoring their health for 14 days after they leave level 3 risk country. Travelers from countries with a level 2 alert do not need to stay home, but should monitor their health for 14 days after leaving the level 2 risk country.
Irrespective of whether individuals fully quarantined themselves or only quarantined themselves from school upon return from a level 3 country, the current CDC guidance is that they should “stay home and monitor their health for 14 days after returning to the United States.” We recognize that this may not reflect the level of quarantine activities of some individuals have exercised, but that level can begin now.
It is permissible for siblings or children of individuals who traveled to level 3 areas, but who themselves did not travel, to attend school and not be quarantined. If the traveler presents symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath, etc.), the sibling or child, in accordance with CDC guidance, should self-quarantine until the traveler can be evaluated by a medical professional to determine the nature of the illness.
An additional question that has arisen centers around encouraging individuals to respect voluntary quarantine requests. I have been assured that the Department of Health and Human Services has all of the appropriate tools it needs to protect citizens where quarantine action is required.
We have also received some inquiries for guidance regarding upcoming scheduled student trips abroad. At this time, we have collected information on many of your upcoming school trips. We are working with NH DHHS to develop some factors for you to weigh in your consideration about whether to proceed with the trip, modify the itinerary or, possibly, cancel the trip. We hope to provide you with those considerations soon.
The NH DOE is ready to work with you to assist you in making your decisions and helping to provide the most up to date guidance from our Public Health experts. Should you have any concerns or questions, please reach out to NH Division of Public Health Services at 603-271-4496.
Chris Sununu | Governor
Frank Edelblut | Commissioner of Education
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