DHEC Updates Regarding Test-to-Stay and Quarantine for Schools

DHEC updated its Test-to-Stay and quarantine requirements today. Greenville County Schools will be able to suspend Test-to-Stay and quarantine once schools have had two consecutive weeks with less than 10 percent of all students and staff absent due to COVID-19 cases. The first two-week period ends Monday, February 28, so the district will implement this change on a school-by-school basis starting Tuesday, March 1. Greenville County Schools is pleased to report that as of February 17, no school has more than 10% of its students and staff absent due to testing positive for COVID-19, and we are optimistic that this trend will continue.

When Test-to-Stay and quarantine are suspended, contact tracing, testing and masking of close contacts without symptoms is no longer required.

If a school that has suspended Test-to-Stay or quarantine has two consecutive weeks with 10 percent or more of students and staff testing positive for COVID-19, DHEC requires that Test-to-Stay and other quarantine requirements be reinstated. Again, this will be determined by the district on a school-by-school basis.

DHEC’s requirements for isolation when students or staff test positive for COVID-19 remain the same. Additionally, DHEC continues to require that students and staff exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms be excluded from school/work.