The Hawai‘i State Department of Education (HIDOE) and State Department of Health (DOH) have partnered to ensure health and safety protocols are in place as students soon return to in-person learning.

“Face-to-face learning is so vital for our students, especially our youngest learners. We’ve been diligently working to maximize in-person learning for the remainder of the school year,” Superintendent Dr. Christina Kishimoto said in a statement.  Kishimoto added, “this will ensure our dedicated teams working in our schools are supported and continue to feel safe as we make this transition.”

Highlights of the health and safety protocols include:

• Advance notice: Schools shall provide a minimum notice of seven calendar days before an increase to in-person schooling.
• Remote work during quarantine: In the event of a classroom, workspace and/or building being closed due to COVID-19 and students being sent home and/or being directed to quarantine, employees identified as a close contact needing to quarantine in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/Department of Health (DOH) school guidance shall continue to work from a remote location when able.
• Mitigation strategies: Regardless of the level of community transmission, all schools shall use and layer mitigation strategies aligned to CDC guidance, DOH guidelines, and the HIDOE’s Return to Learn Health and Safety Handbook. These strategies include:
  • Core essential strategies to be implemented in every situation: Consistent masking; staying home when unwell and going home if you become unwell at school; and proper hand hygiene.
  • Mitigation strategies to be applied in combination to the greatest extent possible: Cohorting; physical distancing (ideally, at least 6 feet); adjusting ventilation systems introduce additional outside air and/or increase air exchange; physical barriers (most important when masking and physical distancing cannot be maintained; and cleaning high-touch areas.