Shortened Quarantine and Isolation Guidance

On December 27, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated and shortened recommended isolation and quarantine time based on what is currently known about COVID-19 and the Omicron variant.  Both the Arizona Department of Health Services and Coconino County Health and Human Services have also released this updated guidance, which FUSD will now implement, that allows students and staff to return to school and work sooner following isolation, and in some cases, avoid quarantine.  More information is available on the Coconino County Health and Human Services website:  COVID-19 Information | Coconino 

The recommended isolation time for individuals with COVID-19 is shortened from 10 days to 5 days, if asymptomatic, followed by 5 days of wearing a well-fitted mask when around others.  

Additionally, the CDC updated the recommended quarantine period for those exposed to COVID-19.  For people who are unvaccinated or are more than 6 months out from their second mRNA dose (or more than 2 months after the J&J vaccine) and not yet boosted, the CDC recommends quarantine for 5 days followed by strict mask use for an additional 5 days.

Individuals who are fully vaccinated (within 6 months of receiving the second dose in a 2-dose series, or within 2 months of receiving one dose of a 1-dose series, or completion of their primary series AND have received a booster dose) do not need to quarantine following an exposure, but should wear a mask for 10 days after exposure.  For all those exposed, best practice would also include a COVID-19 test at Day 5 after exposure.  If symptoms occur, individuals should immediately quarantine until a negative test confirms symptoms are not attributable to COVID-19.

Face Mask Requirement

The Flagstaff Unified School District will continue to require all persons, including but not limited to staff, students, vendors, visitors, and volunteers, wear a face covering indoors while on any District property, at any District event, and in any District vehicle.  Wearing a well-fitted and proper mask is important with what is known about the spread of the highly contagious Omicron variant.  Those wearing cloth masks should consider wearing a disposable surgical mask underneath.  These will continue to be available at all school and work sites.  

COVID-19 Testing

FUSD continues to make COVID-19 testing accessible to its students, with parent consent, and staff through partnerships with Northern Arizona University and take-home tests provided by Coconino County Health and Human Services.  In partnership with Ravinia Health, FUSD will begin providing free self-swab PCR tests that students or staff can administer at school or at home and return to a designated collection bin/box in the office. Tests will be collected for lab processing and parents will be notified via email of test results within 24-48 hours.  This is not a required program and more detailed information will be forthcoming.  

All individuals are advised to monitor for symptoms.  If you experience symptoms, including mild symptoms, and/or test positive for COVID-19, please complete the FUSD COVID-19 Contract Tracing Form here. 

Vaccines & Boosters Recommended

The Flagstaff Unified School District continues to work with partners to make vaccinations accessible and to provide updated information about COVID-19 vaccines to its staff and families of students.  Information about the vaccines and locations is available on the Coconino County Health and Human Services website:  https://www.coconino.az.gov/2547/Vaccine-Info

We will continue to monitor updates to guidance and share information with you.  We must work together to limit the spread of COVID-19 in order to maintain in-person learning and ensure adequate staff to keep our schools open.