Supporting Schools and Child Care: Frequently Asked Questions

Testing is not required to return to school/child care after March break.  However, it is important to complete the daily screening and follow the recommendations of the screening tool. 

Note: The occasional use of rapid antigen tests should not be relied on to determine if a person should participate in social activities. Instead, individuals should follow existing public health measures, regardless of rapid antigen test use. If a person who does not have symptoms, without a known exposure to someone who had COVID-19 decides to complete a rapid antigen test, then they should complete it as close to the event as possible (e.g. on the same day, ideally within a few hours of the event) and should understand important limitations to a negative rapid antigen test result including:

• Rapid antigen tests have low sensitivity for COVID-19 in people who do not have symptoms; meaning that a negative result could be a false negative.
• People infected with COVID-19 may test negative for several days before testing positive on a rapid antigen test. Therefore, a negative rapid antigen test may represent a false negative and the infection status of the individual may change within hours of taking the test.

Is a negative COVID-19 test result or a doctor’s note required in order to return to school/child care after recovering from COVID-19?

No. Children and staff can return to school/child care if they have completed their period of self-isolation, have no fever (without use of fever reducing medications) and their symptoms have been improving* for 24 hours (48 hours if the symptoms were vomiting and/or diarrhea). 

*Note: Mild symptoms like a runny nose do not have to be completely gone when returning to school/child care provided the mild symptom is improving and other symptoms have stopped.

Your child can continue to go to school or child care and should continue to complete the screening tool on a daily basis. If they develop symptoms, they will need to follow the self-isolation instructions. 

As per provincial guidance, if your child tests negative for COVID-19 on two rapid-tests, taken 24 hours apart, they can return to school/child care if their symptoms have been improving* for 24 hours and the child has no fever, without use of fever reducing medications (or 48 hours after vomiting or diarrhea have resolved) before returning to school/child care.

*Note: Mild symptoms like a runny nose do not have to be completely gone when your child returns to school/child care provided the mild symptom is improving and other symptoms have stopped.

Will the identity of an individual with COVID-19 be made public by the school, child care or OPH?

If the school, child care or OPH is made aware of individuals with COVID-19, they will not share that information publicly. All personal health information including identities are kept confidential as per the Ontario Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 to protect privacy, and prevent stigma or harassment of an individual.

What is the difference between a confirmed case of COVID-19 and a presumed case of COVID-19?

A presumed case of COVID-19 is an individual who does not have a positive COVID-19 molecular test (see bullet above) but for whom there is another reason that COVID-19 infection is likely, such as:

• The individual has COVID-19 symptoms and does not have access to COVID-19 testing.
• The individual has tested positive on a COVID-19 rapid antigen test (RAT)
  • Note: a PCR test to confirm a positive result from a RAT test is no longer required to inform next steps.

Someone from our household has COVID-19 symptoms but we do not have access to testing (rapid antigen test (RAT) or PCR).  What now?

If someone in the household is symptomatic, please follow isolation guidance provided by the screening tool.  Testing is not required to inform the isolation requirements. 

For more information on isolation, visit: You have symptoms and are concerned you may have COVID-19. Now what? 

Contact your school or child care provider if you need information on accessing Rapid Antigen Tests as they are being made available by the province to all public schools and licensed child care. 

What kind of testing is available for schools & child care?

The testing strategy has changed in Ontario. Access to rapid antigen tests (RATs) is readily available as the provincial government distributed kits to all public schools and licensed child care.

If someone from your household develops the symptoms below, they are advised to stay home and perform one rapid antigen test. If it is negative, wait 24 to 48 hours and then complete the second rapid antigen test.

• one of these symptoms: fever and/or chills, cough, shortness of breath, decrease or loss of taste or smell;

OR

• two or more of the following symptoms*: runny nose/nasal congestion, headache, extreme fatigue, sore throat, muscle aches/joint pain, gastrointestinal symptoms 

*If someone has two or more COVID-19 symptoms:

Household members that do not meet the criteria below must self-isolate while your child is self-isolating. If any of the following apply to your household members, they do not need to self-isolate:

• They have previously tested positive for COVID-19 and completed their isolation period in the past 90 days
• They are 18 + and boosted
• They are under 18 years old and are fully vaccinated.

Please note that testing is not required to guide the isolation requirements. Anyone who tests positive on RAT or PCR or who has symptoms and does not get tested should follow the isolation guidance on our website. 

For more information on eligibility for PCR testing at assessment centres, visit: Who qualifies for a PCR COVID-19 test

How/where can I access rapid antigen tests (RAT)?

As per the provincial government’s school and child care testing strategy, every Ottawa student or staff in a public school has two rapid antigen tests. When students/staff return to school following an illness, they will be provided with two more rapid antigen tests (as supply allows) to have ready for use with the next illness.

In licensed child care settings, symptomatic children and child care providers will be distributed two rapid antigen tests for at-home use (as supply allows). 

Contact your school or child care provider if you need information on accessing these tests. 

My child has symptoms and has access to a rapid antigen test. What do we do now? 

If your child has the symptoms below, they should not go to school/child care: 

• one of these symptoms: fever and/or chills, cough, shortness of breath, decrease or loss of taste or smell;

OR

• two or more of the following symptoms: runny nose/nasal congestion, headache, extreme fatigue, sore throat, muscle aches/joint pain, gastrointestinal symptoms 

If the individual with symptoms of COVID-19 has access to a rapid antigen test (RAT), and receives two negative RATs, separated  by  24-48  hours,  it shows that they are less likely to have COVID-19.  The symptomatic  individual  should  continue to self-isolate  until their symptoms  are  improving  for at least 24  hours  (or  48  hours  if gastrointestinal  symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea  are present) and until fever has resolved without fever-reducing medications. 

If the symptomatic individual receives two negative RATs, separated  by  24-48  hours, their household  members  who were self-isolating* who do not have symptoms can come off isolation and return to child care/school/work.

*Household members that do not meet the criteria below must self-isolate while your child is self-isolating. If any of the following apply to your household members, they do not need to self-isolate:

• They have previously tested positive for COVID-19 and completed their isolation period in the past 90 days
• They are 18 + and boosted
• They are under 18 years old and are fully vaccinated.

Anyone who tests positive on RAT or PCR or who has symptoms and does not get tested should follow the isolation guidance on our website.

Note: If your child only has ONE of the following symptoms: runny nose/nasal congestion, headache, extreme fatigue, sore throat, muscle aches/joint pain, gastrointestinal symptoms, they should stay home until symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if gastrointestinal symptoms), to limit the spread of other illnesses that the individual may have (e.g., common cold virus, Influenza, other viral respiratory or gastrointestinal illness) and to monitor for the development of additional symptoms. Household members and other contacts of these individuals do not need to self-isolate, as long as they have no symptoms.

A close contact is someone who was in close proximity with a person who tested positive for COVID-19 during the time they could transmit the virus to others (period of communicability). A person’s period of communicability is 48 hours before their first symptom started, or 48 hours before their test date (if they have no symptoms) until their self-isolation period has ended. Close contact is being within two metres (six feet) of a person who had COVID-19 for a prolonged period of time or having multiple close encounters, even when both people are wearing a mask.

Some examples include:

• Physical contact such as shaking someone’s hand, hugging kissing, being sneezed or coughed on
• Living in the same household (this excludes individuals who live in a completely separate unit such as a self-contained basement apartment)
• Providing care to someone (e.g., taking care of an elderly parent).

How are close contacts identified at school and/or child care?

Based on guidance provided by the Ministry of Health, dismissals in non-high risk settings (including schools and child care) are no longer applied.  Public health units will not be conducting contact tracing and will not be notifying families of presumed or confirmed cases of COVID-19.  Specific individuals may be identified by the person who tested positive for COVID-19 as close contacts based on their prolonged, unprotected, close interaction with the person who has COVID-19 symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19. Cohort dismissals of children or staff at a school or child care setting will be contingent on operational requirements determined by the school board, school and/or child care provider. 

Non-household contacts who do not have symptoms are not required to isolate, but they should self-monitor for symptoms for 10 days after their last exposure.

Note: Some schools and child care providers may choose to notify contacts if they are made aware of specific prolonged, unprotected, close interactions with a person who tested positive for COVID-19 in their setting.

For more information, visit: How to identify your close contacts

Will I be notified if my child is a close contact at school/child care? 

As per provincial direction, public health units will not be conducting contact tracing. Given the  widespread  transmission  and  inability to  test  all  symptomatic  individuals, schools  and child cares are not required to  notify classes/groups where someone tested positive,  or if  a  child/student or  staff  is  absent  due  to  symptoms  associated  with COVID-19.  Specific individuals may be identified by the person who tested positive for COVID-19  as close contacts based on their prolonged, unprotected, close interaction with the person who had COVID-19 symptoms or tested positive to COVID-19. 

Non-household contacts who do not have symptoms are not required to isolate, but they should self-monitor for symptoms for 10 days after their last exposure.

Given the widespread transmission of COVID-19, it is important to remember that there is a heightened risk of transmission of COVID-19 in any setting at this time. Whether or not you are aware of specific interactions of concern, it is important to continue to monitor for symptoms and to complete the COVID-19 school and child care screening tool every day. Remember to get vaccinated once eligible, including getting a booster dose, to help to reduce the risk of severe illness and infection. 

If you decide that your child should wear a mask at school and/or child care, you can encourage them by doing the following:

• Explain why
  • Children watch, listen and learn. Explaining why it is important for you in simple terms can help them understand why wearing a mask is important for them. Allow them to ask questions and express their feelings.
• Give choices
  • Consider letting children of all ages choose their mask pattern and/or colour. Kids like to feel independent and be given choices. If you are able, include your child in selecting a mask of their choice.
• Include masks in imaginative play
  • Children have amazing imaginations. Include a few masks in their playtime and see what they come up with. Having masks present in their environment will help them become more comfortable to the look and feel of masks.
• Set an example
  • When heading out in public be a role model. Show your children how you put on your mask and explain why you are doing it. 
• Encourage mutual respect
  • Some individuals may choose not to wear a mask at schools and/or child care. Wearing a mask or not is a personal choice, and that choice should be respected, even if it differs from your own. Modeling this behaviour for your child is also important. 

Masks can help to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, and add a layer of protection.  It is important for each individual to assess their own risk level, and the risk of those they live and interact with. Individuals and their families must choose how to, rather than be mandated, to best protect themselves. This will include the decision to wear a mask in indoor or shared spaces.

For more info visit: Kids and masks: Tips from an expert

• Yes. Both cloth and disposable masks can be worn all day, for one day, as long as they do not become damaged, damp or dirty. It is important to properly store both cloth and disposable masks to prevent contamination when not being worn.
• At the end of a full day’s wear or if the disposable mask has become damp, dirty or damaged, it is best to throw it out. Prolonged or repeated daily use of the same disposable mask may not provide enough protection even it if looks clean and not damaged.
• Discard used disposable masks in a garbage bin.

Children should be shown how to properly take care of their masks. Here are some things parents and caregivers can teach them:

• How to remove their mask using the ties or ear loops when they are safely able to do so;
• How to wash their hands using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before and after removing their mask;
• How to properly store masks;
• How to avoid touching the cloth or fabric portion of their masks while placing it in a clean, closeable bag or plastic container until ready to use it again the same day;
• Teach children not to share masks.

Which self-screening tool should I use?

Anyone going into the school or child care setting should use the COVID-19 school and child care screening tool.

Adult household members who are not entering the school or child care can use the COVID-19 self-assessment tool for screening.

Can schools or child care operators implement additional measures and precautions that go beyond those provided by the Ministry of Education?

Yes—within reason and legislation.  Schools and child care operators may implement their own policies that would offer additional protection from COVID-19 transmission than what Ottawa Public Health or the Ministry of Education has recommended.  Schools and child care operators are responsible for the administration and implications of any supplemental measures they choose to implement within their facility.

Is it safe for my child to attend school/child care?

With the increased spread of Omicron, there is a risk in any setting for transmission of the virus. 

To decrease the risk of COVID-19 transmission in schools and child care, you can get vaccinated and stay home when you are sick.

In addition to vaccination, schools and child care have layers of protection that slow transmission. These layers include daily screening, hand washing, and increased ventilation. Using the online screening tool each day before entering a school or child care environment is one of the most important ways to keep COVID-19 out of schools and child care settings.

School and child care play an essential role in children’s lives – in terms of education as well as social and emotional development. They can also provide children and youth with vital resources, such as food, safety and mental health supports.  Parents and caregivers also experience high levels of stress when children cannot go to school/child care and their ability to work and balance their children’s needs is affected. Ensuring educational, social and emotional development consistently remains a key pandemic goal for the health of children and youth. 

COVID-19 infection is generally mild in children and even more so Omicron relative to Delta so most people can feel confident sending their child to school and/or child care.  Each individual needs to assess their own personal risks for severe disease balanced with the benefits of the activity in question when deciding what is best for them and their family. 

• Wash their hands. Hand hygiene is one of the most important things we can do to limit the transmission of COVID-19. When children and/or staff come home, it is recommended that they wash their hands with soap and water.
• Cloth (non-medical) masks should be washed daily.
• Disposable masks should be discarded.
• Items taken daily to school/child care such as water bottles, mugs and lunch containers, should also be washed.