COVID-19 Considerations for Reopening Schools: Workplace Health and Safety

Returning to school during a global pandemic brings a new level of anxiety for everyone involved. Even though most children are very resilient to COVID-19, many parents/guardians have valid concerns that the student could carry the virus home to vulnerable family members or others living in the home. The decision to return to school is dependent on the capability of the district to maintain a safe and healthy environment. The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has developed this guidance document as a companion piece to the Kentucky Department for Public Health's "Guidance on Safety Expectations and Best Practices for Kentucky Schools (K-12)." It is intended to be a guide for local school districts when developing and adapting their return-to-school plans. This is not a "one size fits all" guide and is based on best practice guidance and information from relevant state and federal agencies. This document includes considerations for workplace health and safety including: (1) health and safety team; (2) health resources and support; (3) mitigation strategies; (4) employee health and wellness; and (5) student health and wellness. [For "Guidance on Safety Expectations and Best Practices for Kentucky Schools (K-12). Interim Guidance," see ED611968.]