Close Alert Banner
Skip to Content

Southwestern Public Health Logo

Contact Us
A - Z TopicsNewsroomLocations and HoursContact Us1-800-922-0096
  • Classes, Clinics and Services
    • Dental Clinics
    • Food Handler Certification
    • Immunization Clinics
    • Influenza (Flu) Clinics
    • Needle Exchange Program
    • Pregnancy and Baby Supports
    • Sexual Health Clinics
    • TB Skin Testing
    • Tick Identification
    • Well Water Testing
    • Quit Smoking
  • My Health
    • Alcohol, Drugs and Tobacco
    • Animal Bites and Rabies
    • Body Art and Personal Care
    • Child and Family Health
    • Dental Health
    • Immunization and Vaccines
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Food and Eating
    • Personal Safety and Injury Prevention
    • Mental Health
    • Physical Activity
    • Sexual Health
    • Vector-Borne Diseases
  • Community Health
    • Emergency Preparedness
    • Enforcement of Smoke-Free Spaces
    • Environmental Health
    • Food Safety
    • Health Inspect
    • Health Equity and Fairness
    • Personal Service Settings
    • Road Safety
    • Safe Needle Disposal
    • School Health
    • Walking, Biking, Hiking
  • Partners & Professionals
    • Child Care Centres
    • Congregate Living Settings
    • Educators
    • Food Service Operators
    • Health Care Providers
    • Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes
    • Outbreak Status Reports
    • Personal Service Settings
    • Recreational Facilities
    • Southwest IPAC Hub
  • Reports & Statistics
    • Community Health Status
    • Evaluations and Situational Assessments
    • Evidence Reviews
    • Health Inspect
    • General Reports
    • Position Statements
    • Surveillance Dashboards
  • About Us
    • Accessibility
    • Board of Health
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
    • Corporate Culture and Values
    • Events Calendar
    • Health Equity and Fairness
    • Locations and Hours
    • News and Media
    • Performance and Accountability
    Click to view About Us
    About Us

COVID-19 Resources for Schools and Child Care Centres

Home...Infectious DiseasesCOVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)COVID-19 Resources for Schools and Child Care Cen...
  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Email this page Email
Masked young girl interacting with masked teacher

COVID-19 Case and Contact Information

Please see the Ministry of Health Management of Case and Contacts of COVID-19 in Ontario August 31st 2022 (Version 15) for full details on testing, screening, isolation and household contact information.
UPDATE: As of October 1, the guidance found on page 25 about international travel is outdated. Visit Travel.gc.ca for the most updated guidance related to travel to and from Canada. 

COVID-19 Screening

All students and school staff must screen for COVID-19 every day before going to school. Use the Ontario Government’s School and Child Care Screening Tool (online or in print).

COVID-19 Testing for School Aged Children

Rapid tests, which can be acquired through the child’s school, pharmacy or doctor’s office, should be used to verify COVID-19 infection in school aged children.

Rapid tests can produce a false negative result if taken too soon. It is recommended that a second test be taken at least 24 hours after the initial negative test.

 What to do if you have COVID-19 symptoms or test positive 
  •  Stay home and not attend: work, school, child-care, or other public spaces
  • Only leave home if it is a medical emergency or for a clinical assessment/ test
  • If they leave for a medical emergency or clinical assessment they should:
    • Wear a medical mask
    • Distance from others
  • Should stay in a separate room, away from household members as much as possible; and wear a mask in any common areas.
  • The positive individual may participate in independent outdoor exercise. They should not participate in outdoor fitness activities with other people.

The isolation period for symptomatic school aged individuals with no additional complications is until symptoms have been improving for 24 hours; with no fever or 48 hours if gastrointestinal symptoms are involved.

If the individual tested positive for COVID-19 but has no symptoms they do not have to isolate. If symptoms occur they need to isolate immediately.

 What to do after COVID-19 isolation ends
 For 10 days after COVID-19 symptom onset or positive test result the individual must:
  • Wear a well fitted mask in all public settings
  • Avoid non-essential activities where mask removal is necessary
  • Do not visit anyone who is immunocompromised or at higher risk of illness
  • Avoid all non-essential visits to highest risk settings such as hospital and long term care homes
 What close contacts of a case should do

In the community, it is the responsibility of the individual with COVID-19 symptoms or COVID-19 positive test to determine who their close contacts are and to notify them of their potential exposure.

For a total of 10 days after the last exposure to the COVID-19 positive case or individual with COVID-19 symptoms, the close contact should:

  • Self-monitor for symptoms
  • Self-isolate immediately if they develop any symptom of COVID-19
  • Wear a well fitted mask in all public settings
  • Avoid non-essential visits to anyone who is immunocompromised or at higher risk of illness (e.g., seniors)
  • Avoid non-essential visits to highest risk settings such as hospitals and long term care homes 

COVID-19 Provincial Hotline

If you have questions related to COVID-19 testing and isolation guidelines, please call the Provincial Information Hotline at 1-888-777-0730. They are available 7 days a week from 8am to 6pm.

Staying Safe In School

While most COVID-19 public health measures have been lifted, COVID-19 is still circulating in our community and remains a health risk. The following protective measures will help reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in schools.

  • Wearing a face mask

  • Vaccinating against COVID-19

  • Testing for COVID-19

  • Practicing good hand hygiene

  • Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue, a mask, or your elbow

Local School Boards and COVID-19

  • Thames Valley District School Board

  • London District Catholic School Board

  • Conseil scolaire Viamonde

  • Conseil scolaire catholique Providence

Subscribe to page updates
My Health
  • Infectious Diseases
    Toggle Section Infectious Diseases Menu
    • A-Z List of Infections
    • COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)
      Toggle Section COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) Menu
      • COVID-19 Resources for Community Settings
      • COVID-19 Resources for Health Care Providers
        Toggle Section COVID-19 Resources for Health Care Providers Menu
        • COVID-19 Testing Guidelines
      • COVID-19 Resources for Schools and Child Care Centres
      • COVID-19 Resources for Workplaces and Employers
        Toggle Section COVID-19 Resources for Workplaces and Employers Menu
        • COVID-19 FAQ's for Workplaces and Employers
      • COVID-19 Vaccine
    • Influenza (Flu)
    • Preventing Infection
    • Tuberculosis
  • View Full My Health Menu
    Toggle Section
    • Alcohol, Drugs and Tobacco
      Toggle Section Alcohol, Drugs and Tobacco Menu
      • Alcohol
      • Cannabis
      • Opioids, Naloxone and Needle Exchange
        Toggle Section Opioids, Naloxone and Needle Exchange Menu
        • Naloxone
        • Opioid Monitoring
        • Needle Exchange Program
      • Smoking and Vaping
        Toggle Section Smoking and Vaping Menu
        • Health Effects of Tobacco and Smoking
        • Quit Smoking
        • Vaping
    • Animal Bites and Rabies
      Toggle Section Animal Bites and Rabies Menu
      • Rabies
    • Body Art and Personal Care
    • Child and Family Health
      Toggle Section Child and Family Health Menu
      • Breastfeeding
      • Child Safety
      • Healthy Babies Healthy Children
      • Parenting
        Toggle Section Parenting Menu
        • Babies 0-12 months
        • Toddlers 1-3 years
        • Preschoolers 3-5 years
      • Postpartum Mood Disorders
      • Preconception and Pregnancy
      • Pregnancy and Baby Supports
    • Dental Health
      Toggle Section Dental Health Menu
      • Children and Youth 0-17
      • Seniors 65+
    • Immunization and Vaccines
      Toggle Section Immunization and Vaccines Menu
      • Immunization at Every Age
      • Immunization Exemptions
      • Immunization Records and Reporting
      • Immunizations in Schools
        Toggle Section Immunizations in Schools Menu
        • Grade 7 Immunization Program
      • Immunization Clinics
      • Influenza (Flu) Clinics
    • Food and Eating
      Toggle Section Food and Eating Menu
      • Food and Eating for Every Life Stage
      • Local Food Programs and Services
      • Reducing Weight Bias
    • Personal Safety and Injury Prevention
      Toggle Section Personal Safety and Injury Prevention Menu
      • Bike Safety
      • Child Safety
      • Concussions
      • Sun Safety
    • Mental Health
      Toggle Section Mental Health Menu
      • Mental Health and Addiction Support
    • Physical Activity
      Toggle Section Physical Activity Menu
      • Physical Activity in Schools
      • Physical Activity Guidelines
      • Physical Literacy
      • Walking, Biking, Hiking
    • Sexual Health
      Toggle Section Sexual Health Menu
      • Birth Control
      • Cervical Cancer Screening (Pap Test)
      • Pregnancy Testing and Options
      • Safer Sex
      • Sexual Assault and Violence
      • Sexual Health Clinics
      • Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
    • Vector-Borne Diseases
      Toggle Section Vector-Borne Diseases Menu
      • Ticks and Lyme Disease
      • West Nile Virus

Contact Us

Work with Us

Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) values our people! We pride ourselves on our positive and flexible work environment.

Learn More

Southwestern Public Health footer logo

Southwestern Public Health strives to ensure the comfort and safety of staff and visitors by encouraging a scent free environment.

  • Classes, Clinics and Services
  • My Health
  • Community Health
  • Partners & Professionals
  • Reports & Statistics
  • About Us

Links:

  • Privacy and Records Access
  • Accessibility
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer and Terms of Use
  • Location and Hours
  • Sitemap
  • Website Feedback
Scroll to top of page

© 2020 Southwestern Public Health

Designed by eSolutionsGroup
Close Old Browser Notification
Browser Compatibility Notification
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.