CEDARVILLE, Ohio — While Ohio had previously followed the CDC recommendation that any close contacts of someone who tests positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19) quarantine for 14 days, Gov. Mike DeWine has announced that the state is relaxing that guidance as it relates to students.
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At his press briefing on Wednesday, Gov. DeWine announced that the state is no longer recommending that classmates of K-12 students who test positive for the coronavirus quarantine, so long as the students were wearing masks and only in the classroom with the positive student. Gov. DeWine noted that the new recommendation doesn't apply to after-school activities, including sports.
According to Gov. DeWine, Ohio arrived at its new guidance after a study conducted by multiple universities in the state showed that the coronavirus is not spreading in classrooms, so long as students are taking proper protocols, including the wearing of masks. Gov. DeWine said that the new guidance should make it easier for students to return to the classroom on a full-time basis.
Last week, Gov. DeWine announced that all school employees would be included in the state's second phase of its COVID-19 vaccination distribution, which he expects to begin in January. While many school districts in the state have extended their winter breaks as the result of the state's current coronavirus trends, Gov. DeWine said that he is hopeful that all schools who want to return to in-person learning on a full-time basis are able to do so by March.
You can watch Gov. DeWine's briefing in the player below: