Indiana Makes Changes To Close Contact, Quarantine Rules

The change comes as data shows only about 3-5 percent of COVID-19 infections occur in the classroom.

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(Indianapolis, Ind.) – There have been some changes made to the definition of close contact and quarantine periods for Indiana schools.

On Wednesday, Governor Eric Holcomb and Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box announced the changes after releasing data that shows only 3 to 5 percent of COVID-19 infections occur in the classroom.

Close contacts have been defined as a person within six feet of a positive case for 15 minutes or longer. However, some schools have only been able to place students three feet apart, but the reduced spacing has not resulted in increased cases.

Effective Monday, February 8, the state will no longer require quarantine or contact tracing if students and teachers always remain at least three feet apart and wear masks in the classroom.

Quarantine rules still apply to exposures that occur during lunch, athletics, band or choir, or any other setting. They also apply if teachers and students have removed their masks.

Quarantine Options

• 14-day quarantine still the safest option.
• 10-day quarantine if a person never develops symptoms and wears a mask at all times when returning to school.
• 7-day quarantine if a negative PCR nasal swab test is conducted on Day 5, 6, or 7 or a negative rapid antigen test upon return to school on Day 8.

The State also made an announcement about sending additional PPE and testing kits to schools across the state.

PPE

• The state is sending more than one million KN95 masks to schools, which is enough for 10 masks each for teachers, administrators, and staff.
• Another 600,000 masks will go to children from kindergarten through 6th grade.
• Hand sanitizer also available for schools.

BinaxNOW Cards

• Rapid antigen testing is done on location with results most reliable in a symptomatic person.
• State sending an initial 120 tests to each school and can order more if needed; about 256,000 tests total being shipped next week.