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
    • Quit Smoking
    • Sexual Health Clinics
    • TB Skin Testing
    • Tick Identification
    • Well Water Testing
  • 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
    • Nutrition
    • 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
    • Educators
    • Food Service Operators
    • Health Care Providers
    • Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes
    • Congregate Living Settings
    • Recreational Facilities
    • Southwest IPAC Hub
    • Outbreak Activity
  • 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

HomePartners & ProfessionalsChild Care CentresCOVID-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

Quick Links:

  • COVID-19 School Screening
  • COVID-19 Ontario School Closures and Absenteeism Data
  • Staying safe in schools
  • Other resources for parents and caregivers
  • Caring For a Child At Home With COVID-19 Advice For Parents

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).

Click for the COVID-19 School Screening
Click for the COVID-19 School Screening

    

Staying Safe In School

While many 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.

Face masks

As of March 21, 2022, face masks are no longer mandatory for school aged children. 

When is wearing a mask at school recommended?

Evidence from the early stages of the pandemic demonstrates that the implementation of mask mandates in community settings was associated with reductions in COVID-19 case growth (Public Health Ontario, 2022).

Wearing a mask or face covering has two benefits:

1)  It protects others around you from any germs you might have by containing your respiratory particles.

2)  It protects you from the germs from others around you by preventing or reducing the amount of respiratory particles you inhale (especially if it’s a high quality mask that is well-fitted).

While masks are generally no longer required in schools, wearing a mask is an added layer of prevention and protection against COVID-19 and is strongly encouraged for individuals at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

When is wearing a mask at school still required?

Wearing a face mask is still required for students and school staff in certain circumstances after COVID-19 exposure or symptoms. This includes individuals who:

  • Developed symptoms of COVID-19 or tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 10 days and have completed their self-isolation period.
  • Have a household member who recently tested positive or that has symptoms of COVID-19 in the last 10 days (and self-isolation, if required, is completed).
  • Were identified as a close contact of a case of COVID-19 in the community (outside the home) in the last 10 days.

For a total of 10 days after symptom onset, COVID-19 test, or exposure to the symptomatic or COVID positive individual, these individuals must continue to wear a well-fitted mask in all public settings and avoid participation in activities where mask removal would be necessary (i.e. participating in extra-curricular sports). Reasonable exceptions would include removal for essential activities like eating lunch at school.

School staff working caring for students with symptoms of COVID-19 at school should continue to wear appropriate personal protective equipment, which includes a face mask.

Individuals are required to follow federal travel requirements after returning from international travel, which may include wearing a well-fitted mask in public spaces including school for 14 days after entry into Canada. 

All students and staff that are required to wear a mask are not recommended to use wind instruments or play sports where a mask cannot be worn during the time when masking is required, however, they can remove their mask to eat or drink. 

 

What type of mask is best?

Learn more about choosing an effective face mask here.

How many masks to take to school: 

Consider sending at least one spare mask/face covering to school with your child. Schools are required to have masks available for students, as well. We recommend that students wear medical masks, however when they are not available, a three-layer non-medical mask would be sufficient. A face covering can be worn for an entire day, but it should be replaced if wet or soiled. 

How to store masks at school: 

When not in use at school (e.g., while eating), your child should store their face mask in a space away from others. Consider sending your child to school with a storage container or paper bag where they can put their mask and easily take it out again by the ear loops, without touching the fabric of the mask. 

If your child is using reusable face masks, send them with a spare, sealable container or bag for storing their wet or soiled face masks until they get home. Make sure to put used masks/face coverings into the laundry when your child gets home and wash them and their containers before using again. 

Remember to label your child’s face masks with their name, and if age appropriate, also label the top/bottom and front/back to help with putting them on correctly.

Vaccination for COVID-19

Please visit our COVID-19 Vaccines Information page for more information about vaccinations for your school-aged child.

Testing for COVID-19
Learn more about COVID-19 testing options available here.
Symptoms of COVID-19 or Positive Test Result

Complete the school screening tool to see whether you or your child can attend school.

Learn more about what to do if you or your child has symptoms of COVID-19 or tests positive for COVID-19 (using a rapid antigen test or PCR test) here. A quick summary of this information is found here. 

Provincial Testing and Isolation Information Line: 1-888-777-0730

Hand hygiene

Washing hands or using hand sanitizer frequently is a key public health practice for preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses. Help your child learn and practice how to wash their hands (PDF) or use hand sanitizer properly. Be a good role model - demonstrate this routine yourself and remind your child to wash their hands when needed.

Watch a video together with your child to help them learn:

  • Hand-washing Heroes Video (for younger children)
  • Wash your hands, Brother John! (for younger children)
  • Wash Those Mitts (for younger children)

Washing hands or using hand sanitizer frequently is a key public health practice for preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses. Help your child learn and practice how to wash their hands (PDF) or use hand sanitizer properly. Be a good role model - demonstrate this routine yourself and remind your child to wash their hands when needed.

Watch a video together with your child to help them learn:

  • Hand-washing Heroes Video (for younger children)
  • Wash your hands, Brother John! (for younger children)
  • Wash Those Mitts (for younger children)

    Washing hands or using hand sanitizer frequently is a key public health practice for preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses. Help your child learn and practice how to wash their hands (PDF) or use hand sanitizer properly. Be a good role model - demonstrate this routine yourself and remind your child to wash their hands when needed.

    Watch a video together with your child to help them learn:

    • Hand-washing Heroes Video (for younger children)
    • Wash your hands, Brother John! (for younger children)
    • Wash Those Mitts (for younger children)Washing hands or using hand sanitizer frequently is a key public health practice for preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses. Help your child learn and practice how to wash their hands (PDF) or use hand sanitizer properly. Be a good role model - demonstrate this routine yourself and remind your child to wash their hands when needed.

      Washing hands or using hand sanitizer frequently is a key public health practice for preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses. Help your child learn and practice how to wash their hands (PDF) or use hand sanitizer properly. Be a good role model - demonstrate this routine yourself and remind your child to wash their hands when needed.

      Watch a video together with your child to help them learn:

      • Hand-washing Heroes Video (for younger children)
      • Wash your hands, Brother John! (for younger children)
      • Wash Those Mitts (for younger children)
Coughing and sneezing safely

It's important for everyone to practice good respiratory etiquette. Teach your child what to do and set a good example. Watch this great video: Reduce the Spread of COVID-19: Hygiene for Kids.

Respiratory etiquette:

  • Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or elbow
  • If available, sneeze into a tissue and promptly throw the tissue into the garbage
  • Always wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after coughing and sneezing

Make sure your child knows how to properly put a mask on, wear it, remove it, and store it as well as when to discard or replace it. Learn about how to put on, use, take off, and dispose of a mask. 

Per ministry guidance, masks are to be worn indoors, including in hallways, during classes, and on school vehicles. 

It is mandatory that students in grades 1-12 wear a mask at school. Students in Kindergarten are encouraged to wear a mask indoors and on school transit. Schools and School Boards can create reasonable exemptions to mask use. 

Southwestern Public Health also recommends that: 

  • Masking be required for JK and SK students, including on school vehicles. 
  • Masking of students be required outdoors if physical distancing is not maintained between cohorts. 
  • Staff be required to wear masks outdoors when physical distancing cannot be maintained. 

 

How many masks to take to school: 

Consider sending at least one spare mask/face covering to school with your child. Schools are required to have masks available for students, as well. We recommend that students wear medical masks, however when they are not available, a three-layer non-medical mask would be sufficient. A face covering can be worn for an entire day, but it should be replaced if wet or soiled. 

 

How to store masks at school: 

When not in use at school (e.g., while eating), your child should store their face mask in a space away from others. Consider sending your child to school with a storage container or paper bag where they can put their mask and easily take it out again by the ear loops, without touching the fabric of the mask. 

If your child is using reusable face masks, send them with a spare, sealable container or bag for storing their wet or soiled face masks until they get home. Make sure to put used masks/face coverings into the laundry when your child gets home and wash them and their containers before using again. 

Remember to label your child’s face masks with their name, and if age appropriate, also label the top/bottom and front/back to help with putting them on correctly.

Make sure your child knows how to properly put a mask on, wear it, remove it, and store it as well as when to discard or replace it. Learn about how to put on, use, take off, and dispose of a mask. 

Per ministry guidance, masks are to be worn indoors, including in hallways, during classes, and on school vehicles. 

It is mandatory that students in grades 1-12 wear a mask at school. Students in Kindergarten are encouraged to wear a mask indoors and on school transit. Schools and School Boards can create reasonable exemptions to mask use. 

Southwestern Public Health also recommends that: 

  • Masking be required for JK and SK students, including on school vehicles. 
  • Masking of students be required outdoors if physical distancing is not maintained between cohorts. 
  • Staff be required to wear masks outdoors when physical distancing cannot be maintained. 

 

How many masks to take to school: 

Consider sending at least one spare mask/face covering to school with your child. Schools are required to have masks available for students, as well. We recommend that students wear medical masks, however when they are not available, a three-layer non-medical mask would be sufficient. A face covering can be worn for an entire day, but it should be replaced if wet or soiled. 

 

How to store masks at school: 

When not in use at school (e.g., while eating), your child should store their face mask in a space away from others. Consider sending your child to school with a storage container or paper bag where they can put their mask and easily take it out again by the ear loops, without touching the fabric of the mask. 

If your child is using reusable face masks, send them with a spare, sealable container or bag for storing their wet or soiled face masks until they get home. Make sure to put used masks/face coverings into the laundry when your child gets home and wash them and their containers before using again. 

Remember to label your child’s face masks with their name, and if age appropriate, also label the top/bottom and front/back to help with putting them on correctly.

School Guidance
  • COVID-19: health and safety measures at schools (Ontario)
  • Ontario COVID-19: Health, safety and operational guidance for schools (2021-2022) 
  • Cleaning and Disinfection in Public Settings (Public Health Ontario)
  • Guidance for School Tower Gardens (SWPH)
  • COVID-19: Precautions When Working As A Childcare Provider (Public Services Health & Safety Association)

School Boards and COVID-19

  • Thames Valley District School Board
  • London District Catholic School Board
  • Conseil scolaire Viamonde
  • Conseil scolaire catholique Providence

Additional Resources

Mental Health Support

  • Children's Mental Health Ontario - Back-to-School Mental Health Kit
  • School Mental Health Ontario - COVID-19
  • Mental Health Support during COVID-19 - Canadian Mental Health Association
  • Kids Help Phone
  • Reach Out
  • Wellness Together Canada
  • COVID-19:  How to support your child's mental health and general wellbeing through physical activity, sleep, nutrition and learning. 
  • List of local mental health services

Health Care

  • Canadian Pediatric Society: COVID-19 and your child | Caring for kids (cps.ca)
  • Telehealth Ontario: Get medical advice: Telehealth Ontario | ontario.ca
  • Pediatric Virtual Care Clinic: London Health Sciences Centre: I am a parent | Urgent Care Ontario

Food Access

  • Food Programs and Services in Elgin, Oxford and St. Thomas
  • School Lunch Your Kids Will Munch
Subscribe to page updates
Partners & Professionals
  • Child Care Centres
    Toggle Section Child Care Centres Menu
    • Child Safety
    • Cleaning and Disinfection
    • COVID-19 Resources for Schools and Child Care Centres
    • Healthy Eating for Children
      Toggle Section Healthy Eating for Children Menu
      • Reducing Weight Bias
    • Immunizations
    • Outbreak Management
    • Preventing Infection in Child Care Settings
    • Reporting Illness
    • Weather Alerts
      Toggle Section Weather Alerts Menu
      • Extreme Cold
      • Extreme Heat
  • View Full Partners & Professionals Menu
    Toggle Section
    • Educators
      Toggle Section Educators Menu
      • Common Childhood Infections
      • COVID-19 Resources for Schools and Child Care Centres
      • Curriculum Support
        Toggle Section Curriculum Support Menu
        • School Toolkits
      • Getting Ready for Kindergarten
      • Healthy Schools
      • Immunizations in Schools
        Toggle Section Immunizations in Schools Menu
        • Grade 7 Immunization Program
      • Nutrition in Schools
      • Oral Health in Schools
      • Physical Activity in Schools
      • School-Based Vision Screening
    • Food Service Operators
      Toggle Section Food Service Operators Menu
      • Food Handler Certification
      • Food Premises Inspections
      • Farmers' Market and Special Event Forms
    • Health Care Providers
      Toggle Section Health Care Providers Menu
      • Advisories, Alerts and Information
      • Alcohol and Substance Use
      • Community Resources for Clients
      • COVID-19 Resources for Health Care Providers
      • Immunization Guide
      • Influenza Information for Health Care Providers
      • Infection Prevention and Control
      • Infectious Diseases and Reporting
      • Making a Healthy Babies Healthy Children referral
      • Monthly Public Health Update
      • Nutrition and Eating Well
      • Oxford Drug Strategy
      • Report an Animal Bite
      • Sexual Health and STI Treatment
      • Tobacco Cessation
      • Vaccine Ordering and Fridge Inspections
    • Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes
      Toggle Section Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes Menu
      • COVID-19 Resources for Health Care Providers
      • Infection Prevention and Control in LTCHs
      • Influenza and Outbreak Resources for LTCHs
        Toggle Section Influenza and Outbreak Resources for LTCHs Menu
        • Outbreak Activity
        • Influenza Information for LTCHs
      • Tuberculosis in LTCHs
      • Vaccine Ordering and Fridge Inspections
    • Congregate Living Settings
      Toggle Section Congregate Living Settings Menu
      • IPAC Webinars and Newsletters
    • Recreational Facilities
      Toggle Section Recreational Facilities Menu
      • Recreational Camps
      • Recreational Water
        Toggle Section Recreational Water Menu
        • Beaches
        • Pools, Spas and Splashpads
    • Southwest IPAC Hub
    • Outbreak Activity

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.