New COVID guidelines issued by the Indiana Department of Health Thursday resulted in changes to be implemented next week by Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools.

Per those new state guidelines, schools will no longer be required to contact trace. In addition, quarantining is no longer required for unvaccinated students or staff.

This update will go into effect for Hamilton Southeastern Schools next week. As a reminder, all schools will be mask optional beginning on Tuesday, Feb. 22. However, masks are still required to be worn on the school bus per a federal mandate. If your student rides the bus, we encourage you to pack an extra mask in the event one is misplaced.

In addition:

• Families are encouraged to continue to monitor for COVID-like symptoms and stay home when sick.
• Positive students and staff must isolate for 5 days and may return on Day 6 (regardless of vaccination status) if fever-free for 24-hours without the use of medications and symptoms are resolved or improving.
  • Students and staff are encouraged to wear a mask when around others from Day 6 to Day 10.
• If there is a positive case in a household, students and staff may come to school if symptom-free.

School nurses will continue to track positive cases,  monitoring for potential outbreaks.

These updates will be reflected in HSE’s Return to In-Person Instruction Plan on Friday.