In a new interim guidance statement for K-12 School Operations, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Thursday acknowledged that full time in-person education must return, but COVID-19 prevention strategies remain critical to protect people, including students, parents and guardians, teachers, and staff, who are not fully vaccinated, especially in areas of moderate-to-high community transmission levels.
The statement recommended a number of precautions including vaccination, mask use and physical distancing of at least 3 feet for students among several other recommendations which included contact tracing, in combination with isolation and quarantine.
The new DHEC guidance memo also pointed out that mask use is required on school buses and other public transportation per federal CDC Order regardless of the mask policy at school or the individual’s vaccination status.
DHEC noted that SC General Assembly included a proviso, or condition, in the budget for this year that prohibits schools or school districts from using state funds for requiring masks.
You can find out more on the SCDHEC guidance for school and child care centers by clicking on this link.
The South Carolina Department of Education issued this media release following the guidance statement from SCDHEC.
Columbia, S.C. - Today, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) issued COVID-19 interim guidance for the state's K-12 schools ahead of the start of the 2021-2022 school year. State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman issued the following statement in response to the guidance.
"DHEC has been a tremendous partner for our agency and continues to provide sound public health advice for our students, families, and educators as we navigate the ever evolving COVID-19 pandemic. All members of our state's education system should familiarize themselves with this latest guidance and schools and districts should implement the appropriate prevention strategies.
As noted in the guidance, vaccines remain the most effective tool we have to combat the virus and can ensure our school communities have the safest, most normal, uninterrupted school year possible. I encourage families of vaccine eligibile students to speak with their pediatrician and strongly consider the personal protections and public health benefits of vaccination."