A new emergency order will no longer require Florida students who are exposed to COVID-19 and who are asymptotic to quarantine from school.
The order was relayed on Wednesday by the Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Florida Surgeon General and Secretary of the Florida Department of Health Dr. Joseph Ladapo .
According to the directive, if a student is exposed to a positive case of the coronavirus but does not have any symptoms, the student’s guardian may decide whether the child can continue going to school or stay home and quarantine.
If the parent does decide to keep their child home to quarantine, the child will not be allowed to quarantine at home for more than 7 days “from the date of last direct contact.”
If the child, however, does test positive for the virus or becomes symptomatic they will not be able to attend school, school-sponsored activities, or even be on school property until one of the following conditions is met:
- The student receives a negative diagnostic COVID-19 test and is asymptomatic
- 10 days have passed since the onset of symptoms or positive test result, the student has had no fever for 24 hours, and the student’s other symptoms are improving
- The student receives written permission to return to school “from a medical doctor licensed under chapter 458, an osteopathic physician licensed under chapter 459, or an advanced registered nurse practitioner licensed under chapter 464.”
According to our news partners at WPTV, St. Lucie Schools say they will adopt the new measure, while Martin County Schools say they need more information on the directive but plan to continue to “comply with all legal requirements as has been the case throughout the pandemic.”
It is unclear where Palm beach, Broward, Indian River, Okeechobee, and Miami-Dade schools stand on the issue.
Dr. Ladapo , Governor Ron DeSantis, and Florida Educator Commissioner Richard Corcoran plan to hold a press conference on the directive at 3:30 p.m.