Updated DHEC Requirements for Quarantine and Isolation

SCDHEC has issued new requirements that reduce the length of time for COVID-19 isolations and quarantines. Greenville County Schools is required by law to follow DHEC’s requirements, and we have updated our processes effective immediately and for the opening of school on Monday, January 3, 2022. At this time, early return from isolation is for school attendance, extended day programs, and other extracurriculars where students can wear a mask while participating. Early return does NOT apply to athletics.

For students who test positive for COVID-19, the isolation period has been reduced from 10 days to 5 days, if there are no symptoms or symptoms have improved. DHEC requires students to wear a mask for days 6 through 10 when they return to school. In addition, students must provide a parent note confirming that symptoms have improved and there has been no fever in the past 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication. Parents may email this note to their school or send aa copy to the school with their student.

For students who are exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 and who are not vaccinated, the minimum quarantine period has been reduced to 5 days. Quarantine can end after Day 5 if a viral test is negative AND if no symptoms were present during the quarantine period. A PCR or antigen test must be collected no sooner than Day 4. At-home tests will not be accepted. Regardless of vaccination status, DHEC now requires a mask to be worn by exposed students through Day 10 when they return to school. DHEC recommends exposed students get tested on Day 5 as well.

For students who are currently excluded from school based on the previous DHEC quarantine/isolation requirements, updated guidance is being issued individually if applicable.

More information about these changes have been updated on GCS’s COVID-19 information webpage and within the Safe Return to In-Person Instruction document.