With new guidance from the CDC that addresses the need to keep students in classrooms while protecting residents from COVID-19, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) are adopting new operational guidance for schools and early education from the CDC that eases some restrictions while maintaining a core set of infectious disease prevention strategies as part of their normal operations. The new CDC guidance build on the framework for monitoring the community level of COVID-19 released in February that looks at data for hospitalizations, hospital capacity, and cases. The approach focuses on minimizing severe disease, limiting strain on the healthcare system, and enabling those at highest risk to protect themselves against infection and severe disease. The following strategies should be in place in at all Community Levels:

• Promote staying up to date with all routine vaccinations

• Implement policies that encourage students and staff to stay home when sick

• Optimize ventilation systems

• Reinforce proper hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette

• Utilize proper cleaning and disinfection procedures

The CDC school guidance continues to recommend universal masking when community levels are high and screening testing for high-risk activities (e.g., close contact sports or band) or during key times in the year (e.g., prom or return from breaks).