During the pandemic, it can be difficult to know when your child is able to go to school and what happens if they are feeling unwell. There are a number of important resources available to help families understand what they are required to do if their child is sick – when you must isolate, when to be tested, how long you must stay home and when you can go back to school.
Note | These are general guidelines and families should follow the specific directions of Alberta Health Services Public Health and/or Alberta HealthLInk 811.
Should I Send My Child to School
Families should complete the
Daily COVID-19 Checklist prior entering school daily. If an individual answers YES to any of the questions, they must not be allowed to attend school.
Experiencing Symptoms of COVID-19
If your child has any of these symptoms they are legally required to isolate for at least 10 days from the start of symptoms or until they resolve, whichever is longer:
- Fever
- Cough (new cough or worsening chronic cough)
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing (new or worsening)
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
Read |
How Long To Stay Home From School
Watch |
Chief Medical Officer of Health Video
Feeling Unwell
If your child is feeling sick with any of these other symptoms they should not go to school:
- Chills
- Painful swallowing
- Stuffy nose
- Headache
- Muscle or joint aches
- Feeling unwell, fatigue or severe exhaustion
- Gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or unexplained loss of appetite)
- Loss of sense of smell or taste
- Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye
Stay home from school until symptoms go away – you are not required to isolate for 10 days. It is recommended your child gets a COVID-19 test. If test results are positive, isolate at home for at least 10 days and follow instructions received from Alberta Health Services.
Read |
How Long To Stay Home From School
Exposure at School
If your child has been exposed to a diagnosed case of COVD-19 you will be contacted by AHS. Students are usually asked to isolate at home for 14 days after the exposure.
Follow AHS
directions for self-isolation.
Watch |
Chief Medical Officer of Health Video
Learning From Home
If you are required to isolate or remain at home, let your school know when your child will be returning to school
Connect with your child's teacher(s) to arrange for learning at home, if your child is well enough to do so.
