Schools/Child Care and COVID-19

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Conduct a Daily Screening 

Screen your child for COVID-19 symptoms each morning before leaving for school/child care or sending your child on the bus. Use Ontario’s online school and child care screening tool. 

What if my child develops COVID-19 symptoms? 

While at home: 

  • All household members will need to self-monitor for symptoms. If any symptoms develop, complete the COVID-19 self-assessment and follow the recommended steps. 

While at school/child care: 

  • If your child exhibits or develops any COVID-19 symptoms, your child will be brought to a designated isolation room and will be monitored by staff. 

  • The school/child care centre will contact you and request that the child be picked up as soon as possible. 

  • Do the online school and child care screening to find out your next steps.  

  • All household members will need to self-monitor for symptoms. If any symptoms develop, complete the COVID-19 self-assessment and follow the recommended steps.  

When can my child return to school/child care? 

Advised to stay home and be tested: 

Do not go to school/child care

Find the closest COVID-19 assessment centre to you or seek medical advice from a health care provider. If your child has been tested and is waiting on results, they cannot attend school/ child care.

  • If they test negative:  
    • They can return to school/child care if all the following apply:
      • they have not had a fever for 24 hours (without using medication);
      • it has been at least 24 hours since their symptoms started improving;
      • they were not in close physical contact with someone who currently has COVID-19 ;
      • they have not travelled outside of Canada in the past 14 days.
  • If they test positive (they have the virus): 
    • They can return to school/child care only when they are cleared by the Health Unit. 
  • If you choose not to have your child tested: 
    • Your child should stay home to isolate for 10 days.
    • After the child has been isolated for 10 days, they can return to school/child care if all the following apply: 
      • they have not had a fever for 24 hours (without using medication);
      • it has been at least 24 hours since their symptoms started improving;
      • they were not in close physical contact with someone who currently has COVID-19;
      • they have not travelled outside of Canada in the past 14 days.

Advised to stay home for 24 hours: 

  • If after 24 hours their symptom is improving: 

    • They can return to school/child care if they feel well enough to go. They do not need to get tested. For example, if they have a runny nose, it does not have to be completely gone. They can return if it is improving and they’re feeling better. 

  • If after 24 hours their symptom is persisting, worsening, or they are developing new symptoms: 

    • Continue to stay home and contact a COVID-19 assessment centre or your child's health care provider for further advice or assessment, including if your child needs a COVID-19 test or other treatment.

    • Please see above for details about return to school/child care after being tested or if you choose not to have your child tested.

If you have further questions: 

The Health Unit has set up a temporary Call Centre to support our school and child care communities. If you have any questions, please call 1-800-563-2808 option 6, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

More Information for Parents/Guardians

Parenting and COVID-19

We want children to feel safe, secure and loved so they can reach their full potential and thrive. Our COVID-19 parenting resources will support you.

Top Parenting Tips For School Life During COVID-19

Transportation

For specific back-to-school transportation information and guidelines, visit https://www.npssts.ca/ and your child’s school board website.

When possible, choose walking and cycling to school. Finding an active way to school can give your child many benefits such as increased readiness to learn, decreased levels of stress and increased levels of happiness on the journey to school.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

COVID-19: Resources to Build our Children’s Resilience - Psychology Foundation of Canada includes webinars, podcasts, tip sheets, and more for parents, educators and child-caring professionals to support children and youth during COVID-19.

Talking to Your Anxious Child About COVID -19 - Children’s Mental Health Ontario

How to Work with Your School to Support Your Child’s Mental Health - School Mental Health Ontario

Back to School

COVID-19 and Back to School (Fall 2020) - The Health Unit’s return-to-school FAQ for parents/guardians 

Back to School During COVID-19: Tips for Parents and Caregivers – The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO)

Information for School/Child Care Administration and Staff

Outbreak Management

COVID-19 Guidance Flow Charts

We are currently updating our COVID-19 guidance flow charts for schools and child care.

COVID-19 Guidance - Positive Student or Staff

COVID-19 Guidance - Symptomatic Students or Staff

COVID-19 Guidance - Symptomatic Students or Staff - Return to School

Helpful Links and Resources

COVID-19 Guidance for Schools Kindergarten to Grade 12 – Government of Canada

Guidance for Reopening Schools – The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)

Teaching Tool – Handwashing and Germs – North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit

Mental Health and Wellbeing – School Mental Health Ontario

Information on face coverings

Videos: How to wear a cloth face covering and How to wear a medical mask

Parent/Guardian Handout for Symptomatic Student

Recess Position Statement

Safer Halloween Tips for Schools

Posters and Handouts

Health Promotion in Schools
 Please visit our Healthy Schools page: www.myhealthunit.ca/schools

North Bay

345 Oak Street West
705-474-1400

Parry Sound

70 Joseph Street Unit #302
705-746-5801

Burk's Falls

17 Copeland Street (by appointment only)
1-800-563-2808