The Mayfield Central School District is following the most up-to-date COVID-19 guidance provided by the New York State Department of Health and the Education Department (as of 3/3/2022). The current health and safety protocols are outlined below.
Masking
The state requirement for universal masking in P-12 school settings, in New York State ended on March 2, 2022. Masking is no longer required in school buildings or on school buses or vans.
Please note the following exceptions:
- In all settings, masking continues to be required upon return from isolation during days 6 through 10 after COVID-19 infection.
- Masking, regardless of vaccination status, is strongly recommended for 10 days after a known exposure.
Whenever people are expected or required to wear masks, masks may be removed when eating, drinking, singing, going outside, or playing a wind instrument. When masks are removed for these purposes, physical distancing of 6 or more feet should be maintained to the extent possible.
Exposure to and testing for COVID-19
- NYS aligns with the CDC definition of close contact in schools. In settings where masks are not worn, anyone within a 6-foot radius of an infected person will be considered exposed.
- Affected families, staff, and teachers will be notified of exposure to an individual who reports a new COVID-19 infection.
- Exposed individuals, regardless of vaccination status, may remain in school by appropriately wearing a well-fitting mask and undergoing recommended testing (see below) and may participate in school-based extracurricular activities. These individuals also may continue to ride the school bus.
- We will continue to notify affected families and staff of exposure to an individual who reports a new COVID-19 infection. According to the CDC, in settings where masks are not worn, anyone within a 6-foot radius of an infected person will be considered exposed.
Testing for COVID-19
If a student or staff member is exposed to COVID-19:
- Consider testing immediately upon learning of the exposure or potential exposure and at least 5 days after the last date of exposure or potential exposure, regardless of vaccination status
- Stay home from school if they develop symptoms, if a test is positive and/or exclude from school and test as soon as possible if symptoms develop,
- Exception: Individuals with lab-confirmed COVID-19 within the past 3 months do not need to get tested unless they develop symptoms.
For those with COVID-19 symptoms
- Anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 should stay home from school, regardless of vaccination status or recent infection, until tested and/or isolate for five days.
- If an individual does not get tested, they will need to stay out of school for at least five days (or longer if symptoms are not resolving) and will need to wear a mask in school on days 6-10.
For those who test positive for COVID-19:
- Regardless of vaccination status, if a student/staff member tests positive for COVID-19 they must isolate for a full five days. They may return to school after day five if they are asymptomatic or if symptoms are resolving.
- For days 6-10 following a positive test, students are required to wear a mask in school, including on the school bus.