Los Angeles Unified School District updates its COVID protocols for school
Time to Read: 2 minute
Weekly asymptomatic COVID tests will no longer be required and will only be requested for those with symptoms of the disease. the use of masks in indoor spaces will be strongly recommended
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has updated the COVID protocols it will implement for the return of students to classrooms within two weeks for the 2022-2023 school year.
LAUSD released a letter to parents Tuesday outlining new procedures that bring the district more in line with Los Angeles County guidelines .
Por favor, visite el sitio web del Distrito Unificado de Los Ángeles para conocer los protocolos actualizados de COVID-19 y las medidas de seguridad en https://t.co/G5IsL72RoV. pic.twitter.com/25XwDjyVzz
— Los Angeles Unified (@LASchools) August 3, 2022
Previously, LAUSD had set standards for testing, immunizations, and other procedures that were stricter than many other school districts.
Weekly asymptomatic testing for COVID will no longer be required in the upcoming school year , a change the district implemented at the start of summer school in June .
Instead, tests will only be required for those who have symptoms of the disease or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive.
Vaccination is also not required for students , although it will remain a requirement for district employees.
At one point, the district had planned to require student vaccinations beginning this fall, but the school board voted in May to delay that mandate, and it hasn't been enforced since. Instead, the district encourages, but does not require, students to get vaccinated .
“Our employees are already vaccinated. We encourage all eligible students to get vaccinated as well, and all members of the school community to receive the boosters for which they are eligible,” the district said.
Last year's students needed to use the Daily Pass app to enter campus each day, verifying that they were up to date on COVID tests and showing no signs of illness. It will no longer be a requirement to enter a school campus and the Daily Pass will be used only to upload test results and immunization records, monitor positive cases, and notify close contacts if a person has tested positive .
The district also outlined enhanced policies for cleaning and disinfecting classrooms and campuses. He said he has spent millions of dollars upgrading ventilation systems and filters, as well as buying electrostatic disinfection units and rolling out new air scrubbers. All “high-touch surfaces” will be sanitized twice daily.
The district's policy on the use of face coverings is that they are "strongly encouraged" to be worn indoors in schools and workplaces , and schools will make surgical face coverings available to any student or employee who requests them.
To learn more about the COVID protocols that the Los Angeles Unified School District will implement, you can refer to this link.