Close Contacts, Quarantine & Isolation

According to Public Health, “close contact” includes anyone in one or more of the following categories: 

• For adults: within 6 feet of a person with COVID-19 for a combined total of 15 minutes or more within a 24-hour period; OR  
• For students: within 3 feet of an infected student for 15 minutes when both students were wearing face coverings/masks and other prevention strategies were in place; OR
• Live in the same household as a person with COVID-19; OR cared for a person with COVID-19; OR
• In direct contact with saliva or other body secretions from a person with COVID-19 (for example: been coughed on, kissed, shared utensils, etc.) Public Health will help identify close contacts.

Students and staff who are exposed to COVID are encouraged to get tested and monitor for symptoms. They are not required to quarantine unless they show symptoms. Anyone who tests positive must stay at home (isolate) for at least 5 days.

Any student or employee who tests positive is required to isolate at home for 5 calendar days. They may return to school after 5 days if their symptoms have improved or they are asymptomatic and they have been without a fever for 24 hours.

If the student or employee is returning to school after five days, they must test negative with a rapid antigen or at-home test any day after day 5. 

• Wearing a well-fitted mask is strongly recommended for days 6-10 of their isolation period but is not required.

Testing is available at Highline Public Schools test sites (click here for more information) and other community test sites (click here for more information.) If you have questions or need assistance with registration, please contact Highline’s COVID Response Team at COVIDResponse@highlineschools.org.

Any student or employee who tests positive is required to isolate at home for 5 calendar days. They may return to school after 5 days if their symptoms have improved or they are asymptomatic and they have been without a fever for 24 hours.

If the student or employee is returning to school after five days, they must test negative with a rapid antigen or at-home test any day after day 5.

• Wearing a well-fitted mask is strongly recommended for days 6-10 of the isolation period but is not required.