New COVID -19 Quarantine and Isolation Guidance Released

Dear Syracuse City School District Families,

The Onondaga County Health Department has released updated COVID-19 guidance for isolation and quarantine.  As a result, the Syracuse City School District will now be adhering to the new guidance and those who need to quarantine or be in isolation will only need to do so for five days if they are asymptomatic or if their symptoms are resolving. 

This new guidance goes into effect immediately and is applicable for those currently quarantining or in isolation for COVID-19.  The five-day period for isolation and quarantining begins the day after you first began having symptoms, or if you are asymptomatic, it being the day you tested positive.  If you are not symptom free after day five, it is recommended that you continue in isolation until the symptoms have resolved.

Students who are not vaccinated must quarantine for five days when they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.  Students who are fully vaccinated and who are eligible for their booster shot and have received their booster shot, do not have to quarantine.  Students who are fully vaccinated and not yet eligible for their booster shot also do not have to quarantine.

Onondaga County has updated the attestation forms for self-release from COVID-19 isolation and quarantine.  Please fill out the form and return it to school when your child is ready to return.  You can find the quarantine form here and the isolation form here.

All students, staff and visitors in any of our school buildings are still required to wear a mask in order to enter and while inside the school.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.  We are doing our very best to ensure we follow all the guidance while keeping everyone safe and healthy.
 
Sincerely,
 
Jaime Alicea
Superintendent of Schools