COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina health officials said Wednesday they’re transitioning schools and day cares to start treating COVID-19 as an “Endemic.”
The changes will impact masks, the Test-to-Stay program and quarantines.
“This is an important step for our state because it lays the foundation for how we can work and live with a contained version of the COVID-19 virus,’ said Dr. Brennan Traxler.
According to officials, schools can suspend quarantine and Test-to-Stay policies if they go two consecutive weeks with less then 10% of students and staff contracting COVID-19. When that happens, contact tracing, testing and masks of close contacts without symptoms are no longer required.
The first two-week period is already underway and will end on Feb. 28.
The state said most schools and child care centers will have the option to suspend Test-to-Stay policies on March 1.
Liz Sandora has a son in South Carolina schools. She likes the idea of getting closer to normal, especially since her son had to quarantine earlier this year. That was because of a potential exposure, and she had to figure out child care.
“Work from home, re-arrange. We both work full-time, my husband and I. We had to switch off and be home. He joined virtual lessons every little bit,” she said.
The state said everyone needs to learn to live with the virus and take responsibility by getting the vaccine, wearing a mask when appropriate and staying home when they’re sick.
“None of us asked for this pandemic and we would all love to see it go away. We have a roadmap to achieve that goal. It is up to every individual to accept the reality and do their part,” Traxler said.
The changes only apply to individual schools and day cares. It’s not district wide.
At this point, it looks like every school in Fort Mill will be able to suspend the protocols on March 1.
(WATCH BELOW: FDA releases list of authorized at home COVID-19 tests)
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