November 8, 2020
Dear families,
Alberta Health Services has provided an update on the guidelines for playschools. I have revised the Carstairs Playschool Policy and Procedures document to reflect the recent changes.
I would like to take this opportunity to provide some clarification on the recent changes to the Covid-19 symptoms for children:
If a child is symptomatic and tests positive, they must isolate for a minimum 10 days or until symptoms resolve, whichever is longer and regardless of the symptom.
If a child is symptomatic and tests negative, they must stay home until symptoms resolve, except if they have been identified as having close contact with a confirmed case.
If a child has symptoms including fever, cough, shortness of breath, or lost of sense of taste/smell and is not tested, they must isolate for a minimum of 10 days or until symptoms resolve, whichever is longer. Except if identified as a close contact of a confirmed case, then they must quarantine for 14 days since last exposure.
If a child has symptoms that includes chills, sore throat/painful swallowing, runny nose/congestion, feeling unwell/fatigued, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, unexplained loss of appetite, muscle/joint, headache or conjunctivitis and has not been tested:
ONE symptom: Stay home and monitor for 24 hours. If symptom improves, return when well enough to go. If symptom does not improve, stay home for another 24 hours to monitor. Continue to monitor in 24 intervals until symptom improves. This does not mean children can attend playschool with symptoms, such as runny noses or sore throats.
TWO symptoms or ONE symptom that persists or worsens: Stay home until symptoms resolve. Testing is recommended.
If a child is asymptomatic and tests positive, they must isolate for a minimum of 10 days from the collection date of the swab.
These guidelines are for children only. Adults are still required to isolate regardless of the symptom.
Other changes to the guidelines include:
Children in playschool are not required to wear a mask, but may if parents prefer. Parents must provide clean, labeled, proper fitting masks.
Field trips and singing are now permitted, but have additional guideline documents that need to be reviewed. The playschool will be reviewing those documents and if meeting the guidelines is feasible, we will implement those features.
I have included the updated Carstairs Playschool Society Covid-19 Policy and Procedures for you to review, along with the Alberta Health Services, Covid-19 Guidance for Preschool document that mandates our policies. Please review these documents in completion.
If you require clarification on one of our policies, please email me directly.
Thank you for your cooperation,
Gail