As with all things related to the pandemic, guidance and information is changing rapidly. In our August 2020 Fiscal Report (see “New Coronavirus Testing and Travel Guidelines”), we provided the new testing and travel guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). In our continuing efforts to keep you informed of changes, we are including the statement that the CDC issued on September 18, 2020, to clarify the earlier guidance on testing. Here is the updated statement from the CDC:
Due to the significance of asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic transmission, this guidance further reinforces the need to test asymptomatic persons, including close contacts of a person with documented SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The CDC continues to recommend that agencies utilize state and local health department guidance in determining needs for testing.
We will continue to monitor and keep you informed of changes in guidance issued by the CDC. The CDC self-checker for coronavirus symptoms can be found here.
It is recommended that local educational agencies rely upon local and state health department guidance to ensure policies are up to date as well as to manage self-quarantine guidance and return-to-work policies when employees travel during the pandemic. It is also important to monitor changes in quarantine guidelines as they relate to the management of employee leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.