The Maine Education Association understands there may be questions about current safety guidelines, given that neighboring states are adjusting safety protocols as the pandemic continues. MEA wanted to ensure its members had the most up-to-date information. The Maine CDC is making the following changes that the Maine DOE is sending to superintendents today.
MEA continues to have the position that districts should follow Maine CDC recommendations, and we will continue to advocate for safety being the top priority.
- Maine CDC is expanding access and encouraging all families to take advantage of the free test kits that are available to Maine families. Testing before returning to school after the vacation is recommended. Further information on how to get the kits mailed to your home will be provided.
- Contact tracing will be uncoupled from universal masking in the SOP. The SOP document will make it clear that while schools can opt to continue contact tracing, they are no longer required to, regardless of mask wearing policies.
- Masking will remain a requirement in the SOP for any positive cases of COVID-19 returning to school/work in the 5-10 day window after confirmed diagnosis or symptom onset.
- Maine CDC is carefully monitoring federal CDC’s words on making changes to masking recommendations for school settings. In the event that there are no changes next week, and if there is a continued positive trend related to COVID case counts, wastewater evidence, hospitalizations, etc… they will begin Maine specific conversations that could establish plans for moving toward masking optional recommendation for schools
- It should be noted that the federal transportation requirement for masks is currently in effect until March 18, including for school buses. Any changes to this timeline would have to come from federal CDC.
- At this time, with reductions in cases and positivity rates, pooled testing is regaining its value. As such, the program will continue.
As always, reach out any time, and for those who have a break next week, please stay safe and enjoy the much-deserved time off.
In Unity,
Grace Leavitt, President
Maine Education Association
