CDC Expected To Ease School COVID Guidelines: What It Means In PA

PENNSYLVANIA — COVID-19 school guidelines could be significantly relaxed by the CDC in the coming days, a new report states.

Specifically, guidelines addressing screening for the virus as well as social distancing could be eased, CNN reports.

Regular COVID-19 screening in schools will likely be de-emphasized and the new measures are expected to loosen quarantine guidelines for those exposed to the virus, according to a preview of the plan obtained by CNN. The agency also reportedly plans to de-emphasize the 6-foot social distancing rule.

Instead of consistent screenings in schools, the CDC will likely suggest that testing be based on COVID-19 community levels and on higher-risk settings, such as nursing homes and prisons. The proposed changes have been revealed to some educators and public health officials and haven’t been finalized, as they are still being discussed, according to the report.

If enacted, the changes to COVID-19 guidelines would represent a shift in last school year's COVID-19 policies in Pennsylvania. The Department of Health partnered with Concentric by Ginkgo Bioworks to offer free tests throughout the 2021-22 school year to districts across the state, making testing a regular part of life for many students and staff.

A total of 726 school districts participated in the testing program in 2021-22, officials said. During last school year, a total of 20,396 tests were conducted, resulting in 4,379 positives.

That partnership may not exist — or may not be nearly as widespread — for the 2022-23 school year, particularly in Pennsylvania counties where communiity spread is not high. As of Thursday, spread was high in just four counties: Montour, Mercer, Washington, and Fayette. The "medium" level designation applied to 25 counties, according to the CDC.

Other Pennsylvania schools adopted a "Test To Stay" program for last school year, which allowed those who had been exposed to the virus to remain in school as long as they continued to test negative.

As for relaxing the 6-foot distancing guidelines, the Pennsylvania Department of Health's own recommendations call for 3-feet of distancing "to the greatest extent feasible" for vaccinated individuals. The Department still recommends 6 feet of distance for those who are not vaccinated. It's not yet clear if the CDC would completely eliminate distancing in its new guidelines, or simply reduce the suggested space.

Of course, schools could still have the option to test and implement distancing rules, even if federal recommendations shifted away from those policies.

The CDC did not comment on the rumored changes, noting simply that the existing COVID-19 guidelines would be altered soon.

“The CDC is always evaluating our guidance as science changes and will update the public as it occurs," the agency said in a statement to Patch.

COVID-19 guidelines have varied widely even since 2020 when the pandemic began. Several states and local governments have since removed many or all restrictions.

In Georgia, Gov. Brian Kemp signed a law in March allowing parents to opt their children out of wearing masks at school, even in districts that mandate them. Local governments and schools in Texas and Florida have been barred from requiring masks since May 2021, when governors Greg Abbott and Ron DeSantis signed executive orders in their respective states.

Conversely, employees and volunteers at public schools in Washington, D.C. are required to be vaccinated, with exceptions for religious beliefs or medical conditions. In California, school staff must be vaccinated or tested weekly for COVID-19.