Considerations for School Closure

1 Considerations for School Closure Recommendations on School Closure based on available science, reports from other countries and consultation with School health experts. is a role for School Closure in response to School -based cases of COVID-19 for decontamination and contacttracing (few days of Closure ), in response to significant absenteeism of staff and students (short to mediumlength, 2-4 weeks of Closure ), or as part of a larger community mitigation strategy for jurisdictions withsubstantial community spread* (medium to long length, 4-8 weeks or more of Closure ). modeling data indicate that early, short to medium closures do not impact the epi curve of COVID-19 oravailable health care measures ( , hospitalizations).

2 There may be some impact of much longer closures (8weeks, 20 weeks) further into community spread, but that modelling also shows that other mitigation efforts( , handwashing, home isolation) have more impact on both spread of disease and health care measures. Inother countries, those places who closed School ( , Hong Kong) have not had more success in reducing spreadthan those that did not ( , Singapore). places where School closures are necessary, the anticipated academic and economic impacts and unintendedimpacts on disease outcomes must be planned for and mitigated. Provision of academic support ( , tele-ed),alternatives for School -based meals as well as other services ( , behavioral and mental health services) foreconomically and physically vulnerable children, support for families for whom telework and paid sick leave is notavailable, ensuring that high risk individuals continue to be protected must all be addressed.

3 Special considerationmust be given for health care workers so that School closures do not impact their ability to work.*Substantial community spread is defined as large scale community transmission, health care staffing significantly impacted, multiple cases withincommunal document is archived for historical purposes and is no longer being updated. Please go to COVID-19 site for more recent for Consideration for School Closure Closing schools early in the spread of disease for a short time ( , 2 weeks) will be unlikely to stem the spread of disease or prevent impact on the health care system, while causing significant disruption for families, schools, and those who may be responding to COVID-19 outbreaks in health care settings.

4 It may also increase impact on older adults who care for grandchildren. Waiting to enact School closures until at the correct time in the epidemic ( , later in the spread of disease) combined with other social distancing interventions allows for optimal impact despite disruption. Factors in favor of School Closure Factors against School Closure Further Considerations In response to School -based case (Less than 1 week Closure ) Impact on diseaseoAllows for decontaminationoAllows time for epidemicalevaluation and contact tracing;further action can be scaled basedon epi investigation. Impact on diseaseoSocial mixing may still occur outsideof School with less ability tomonitor, especially among olderstudents.

5 May occur frequently during a wide-spread outbreakShort-term (2 weeks Closure ) Impact on diseaseoAllows time for furtherunderstanding of the local COVID-19situation ( , community spread)oIncreases social distancing amongstimmediate School time for potentially exposedindividuals to develop symptomswhile not in School Impact on familiesoChildren may be less impacted bysocial isolation from their peers forshorter time frames Impact on schooloSchools are better prepared for short-term closures because they ve beenmore likely to have experienced those( , for weather)oGiven current timing, some schoolsmay be able to take advantage ofspring break closures Impact on diseaseoModeling data for other respiratoryinfections where children havehigher disease impacts, suggeststhat early short-term closures arenot impactful in terms of mixing may still occuroutside of School with less abilityto monitor, especially among increase risk to older adults orthose with co-morbidities, asalmost 40% of US grandparentsprovide childcare forgrandchildren.

6 School closures willlikely increase this percentage. Impact on familiesoKey services are interrupted forstudents ( , meals, other social, Disproportionate impact of childrenbeing out of School whoseparents/family members are hourlyand low-wage workers Research from School staff tells us thatschools find closures more acceptablewhen other events, gatherings, andfacilities in the community are alsoclosed or cancelled. Concerns about household mixing ofsick and well family members needs tobe addressed Consider non- Closure social distancingfirst ( , staggering recess, cancellingassemblies and inter- School events.))

7 economic impact if School staff are notpaid during School Closure must protection for older staff andstudents and staff with underlyingmedical conditionsphysical health , and mental health services, after School programs) oEconomic impact for familiesbecause of the costs of childcareand lost wages. There may be aloss of productivity even forparents who are able to families may not havecapacity for students to participatein distance learning ( , nocomputers, internet access issues)even if provided by School . Impact on schoolsoPotential academic impact becauseof the disruption to the continuityof learning Impact on health careoAvailable health care workforce isdecreased as HCW stay home (4 weeks Closure )

8 Impact on diseaseoProvides more protection for olderstaff and students and staff withunderlying medical conditions Impact on schoolsoPlanned closures of longer periodsmay be easier for families to plan forthan rolling closures withunexpected timing and duration,including possibly last-minute notice Impact on diseaseoLonger closures may result in morestudents congregating outside ofschool ( , other students homes, shopping malls)oWill increase risk to older adults orthose with co-morbidities, asalmost 40% of US grandparentsprovide childcare forgrandchildren. School closures willlikely increase this percentage.

9 Impact on familiesoStudents who rely on key services( , meals, other social, physicalhealth, and mental health services,after School programs) are put atgreater risk Disproportionate impact of childrenbeing out of School whoseparents/family members are hourlyand low-wage workers If a School closes for this length oftime, schools must consider ways tocontinue key services Research from School staff tells us thatschools find closures more acceptablewhen other events, gatherings, andfacilities in the community are alsoclosed or cancelled. Consider coupling with other socialactions to mitigate risk of increasedsocial mixing in other communityareasoEconomic impact grows with lengthof Closure ; furthermore, this mayexacerbate disparities amongfamilies at different SES levels ( ,parents with lower wage jobs maylose jobs)oHigh School seniors likely to loseability to participate in their prom,graduation families may not havecapacity for students to participatein distance learning ( , nocomputers, internet access issues)even if provided by School .

10 Impact on schoolsoSignificant impact on academicoutcomes may occur. Losing onemonth of learning may preventstudents from meeting grade levelknowledge and skill expectationsand may jeopardize schools abilityto meet standardized testingrequirementsoSchool staff may be differentiallyimpacted ( , hourly workers maybe less able to sustain longerclosures) Impact on health careoAvailable health care workforce isdecreased as HCW stay home withchildren. Because closures are likely to increaseanxiety among students, families, andcommunity members, excellentmessaging is needed along with theschool Closure . economic impact if School staff are notpaid during School Closure must (8 weeks, 20 weeks Closure ) Impact on diseaseoModeling data for other respiratoryinfections where children havehigher disease impacts, suggeststhat longer closures are may havegreater impact in terms of overall Impact on diseaseoLonger closures may result in morestudents congregating outside ofschool ( , other students homes, shopping malls) Disproportionate impact of childrenbeing out of School for hourly and low-wage workers (compared to salariedworkers who may have more flexibleleave and telework opportunities)transmission.