Updated COVID-19 Health & Safety Protocols
By Shannon McKone on Friday, July 2nd, 2021 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News Eastern/Southeast Oregon Top Stories
BAKER CITY – (Information provided by the Baker School District) On Friday, June 25, Governor Kate Brown signed an executive order and held a press conference with Oregon Health Authority Director Patrick Allen, state epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger, and Oregon Department of Education Director Colt Gill to announce that all remaining COVID-19 health and safety restrictions issued under Oregon’s emergency statutes, including the executive order for K-12 schools, would be lifted on Wednesday, June 30.
On the same day, the Oregon Department of Education announced a new Ready Schools, Safe Learners Resiliency Framework for full-time, in-person instruction for the 2021-22 school years that would also take effect on Wednesday, June 30. The majority of health and safety protocols, which were previously mandatory, became advisory, with a shift back to more local control and traditional communicable disease plans.
In response to this new guidance, Baker School District has coordinated with the Baker County Health Department to update health and safety protocols for local public schools. The district will continue many of the measures in place during the previous school year, including support of the Health Department’s contact tracing efforts, cohorting, morning health checks, frequent hand washing, and physical distancing of at least 3 feet. Those who have symptoms of illness must still remain home. Also, isolation and quarantine periods for unvaccinated individuals with symptoms of COVID-19 will continue to be enforced as directed by the Health Department.
Where the school district will see a more significant shift in health and safety protocol is the requirement for face coverings. Starting immediately, face coverings will only be required on transportation and in certain indoor settings where K-6 students are present, since most K-6 students do not currently have access to COVID-19 vaccination. K-6 students and staff will only be required to wear face coverings during transportation and indoors during transition periods and other instances where cohorts might mix. Even when they are not required, individuals may still choose to wear face coverings.
These protocols are subject to change, depending on local conditions and further guidance from the Baker County Health Department, Oregon Department of Education, and Oregon Health Authority. A complete, updated guidance document for the coming school year is expected from the Oregon Department of Education by Thursday, July 22; and Baker School District will share any updates for the Fall following its review.
“We are grateful for the positive effect of the rigorous health and safety protocols that we have adhered to during the pandemic,” says Superintendent Mark Witty. “As more individuals in our community become vaccinated, we are seeing encouraging results. We hope that a continued dedication to good hygiene and staying home when there are symptoms of illness, coupled with vaccination whenever possible, will mean a full return to normal in the near future.”
