COVID-19 School and Childcare Information

Hamilton Public Health Services (HPHS) has consulted with Hamilton school boards during the pandemic and we will continue to work together throughout this 2022-2023 school year by supporting the safe return to school following the directions and guidelines developed by the Ministry of Health.

Maintaining layered protective health measures are important strategies within schools to reduce the likelihood of and protect others from infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, Influenza, RSV, and other respiratory viruses. These protective health measures include staying home when you have any symptoms of infectious illness, getting your flu shot and staying up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccination, wearing a well-fitted mask in all indoor settings, and implementing proper hand and respiratory hygiene.

Health & safety measures in schools

Schools have the responsibility to ensure that staff and student health, safety and well-being are protected and measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illness are in place. HPHS will provide support and guidance as necessary should specific health and safety measures are reintroduced as advised by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health.

Learn about health & safety measures in schools

Learn about health & safety measures in childcare

Screening

Masking

Vaccination

Mental health & wellbeing

Resources

All staffs, students and visitors should self-screen for symptoms every day before attending school/childcare.

Anyone who is feeling sick or has any symptoms of illness (respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms), including those not listed in the screening tool, should stay home and follow the guidance provided by the screening tool.

Based on the advice of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, all individuals 2 years of age or older are strongly recommended to wear a well-fitted mask in all indoor public settings. Children ages 2 to 5 years should only wear a mask if they are supervised, can safely tolerate masking, and can put their mask on and take it off.

HPHS supports this strong recommendation for all individuals to wear a well-fitted mask in all indoor public settings.

Schools and school boards will continue to provide free high-quality masks for students and staff if they choose to wear them.
Individuals are asked to wear a well-fitted mask when out in public (such as schools and related settings) for 10 days from the onset of symptoms after isolation or if identified as a close contact. For more information about close contacts, please visit COVID-19 Close Contacts. For more information about masking, please visit the Ministry guidelines on Masking.
Staffs should continue to follow organizational-specific policies on masking.
For information about current evidence related to masking in children, please visit the Mask Wearing in Children and COVID-19 - What we know so far.

COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and have been approved for use in Canada for individuals 6 months and older. The vaccine reduces the risk of getting very sick and being hospitalized due to COVID-19. For more information, please visit COVID-19 Vaccination in Hamilton.

Staying up to date with routine immunization is also a protective measure in preventing the spread of infectious diseases. For more information, please visit Vaccines and Immunizations in Hamilton.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made significant impacts to the school community. Hamilton Public Health Services will continue to work closely with schools/school boards to support student mental health, well-being and safety.

Schools and school boards are expected to support students with normal and full school experience that includes extracurricular activities and programs for the students’ learning and social development.
School boards should implement a tiered approach for mental health supports that will capture all students and target intensive help to those who have been most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
School boards should continue to collaborate with child and youth mental health agencies to support strong connections and make the best use of mental health resources and supports across the integrated system of care.
Schools/school boards should continue to monitor absence rates and consult with Hamilton Public Health Services for support and guidance as necessary.

Mental health resources and supports:

Frequently Asked Questions

Complete the student screening tool. Your child should stay home when sick until their symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours for nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea), and no fever is present.

No, individuals with any symptoms of respiratory illness should self-isolate until symptoms have been improving for at least 24 (or 48 hours for nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea), and no fever is present.

No, they do not need to stay at home and may attend school. Wear a well-fitted mask in all public settings (including school and childcare) for 10 days after testing positive. If symptoms begin to develop, self-isolate immediately and follow the guidance from the screening tool. The screening tool provides guidance for individuals who tested positive but asymptomatic.

If your child has been identified as a close contact but does not have symptoms, they do not need to isolate. Follow the instructions for close contacts. If symptoms begin to develop, please complete the student screening tool here before they attend school.

No, you do not need a note from your doctor or proof of a negative test before your child returns to school/ childcare.

Complete the student screening tool. Your child should stay home for 10 days and until their symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours for nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea), and no fever is present.

Date modified

October 06, 2022