The NYC Department of Education recently announced that they will shorten isolation and quarantine periods from ten days to five days due to the changes in protocols made by the Centers for Disease Control.

According to the CDC, the recommended isolation time after testing positive for COVID-19 is five days for anyone with symptoms that are resolving. 

Students can return to school if they are symptom-free and fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication. Students who have completed their isolation period are also not required to show proof of a negative result before entering the school building.

Students who are fully vaccinated and exposed outside of school can still go to school as long as they don’t have any symptoms. 

WJPS junior Thekli Chronis stated, “I disagree with the DOE to shorten the quarantine days, I think the people should quarantine for two weeks and importantly they should take a COVID test and be negative to return.” 

WJPS sophomore Savia Lovett added, “I think that the new policy was not the best solution, since people after five days may still carry COVID and by coming back can increase the chances of getting others sick and they should have to test before they return.”