Beginning Tuesday, September 7, Marion County Public Schools will begin offering an optional Test-to-Stay program which will allow students who are identified as close contacts during COVID-19 contact tracing to avoid quarantining.
Under the Test-to-Stay program, students identified as close contacts from a school exposure -- and who are asymptomatic -- can avoid quarantining from school by taking daily COVID-19 tests over the course of six days (tests are not required during the weekend). Students can remain at school as long as each test returns negative. Tests are administered at the school. Students would still be required to quarantine at home while not at school.
To be eligible for the program, parents must complete the consent form which outlines the requirements.
The program includes several stipulations which MCPS received from the Lincoln Trail Regional Health Department including:
The program only applies to students identified as close contacts based on a COVID-19 exposure at school; this would not apply to an exposure at home or during after-school activities, including athletics.
Students would not be able to use MCPS transportation during the testing period.
Students would be required to quarantine while not in school
Students would not be allowed to participate in athletics or other extracurricular activities
For questions, please contact MCPS Central Office at (270) 692-3721.
You can access the Test-to-Stay program permission form here.