“Early last year, CDC issued initial guidance for child care programs during Covid-19. As we learn more about the virus, CDC experts have updated the guidance several times over the course of 2020,” said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the CDC, said during an information session in the White House on Friday.
“Today, CDC is releasing updated clues based on the most recent science,” Walensky said. “Science contains additional evidence showing that, when used consistently and correctly, prevention strategies such as wearing a mask, staying home when you are sick, and good hand hygiene can make childcare programs work safely and reduce the spread of Covid-19. “
The guidelines also call vaccines an important tool to stop the pandemic.
“I would also like to emphasize that our childcare guidelines emphasize the importance of vaccination against Covid-19 as an additional preventative layer for childcare workers,” Walensky said. “I strongly encourage America’s child care workers to be vaccinated.”
The guidelines recommend that everyone in a childcare facility 2 years and older wear a mask, except when eating or sleeping. Masks should not be a substitute for physical distance, and CDC does not recommend face shields or glasses as a substitute for masks.
The guidance “also emphasizes strategies such as co-ordination, where groups of children are kept with the same peer group and staff to reduce the risk of spread throughout the program,” Walensky said.
The guidelines also recommend increasing air ventilation by opening doors and windows when safe, and provide recommendations on how to adjust settings for children with disabilities and special needs, as well as ways to make common areas, dining areas and play areas safer. to make. during the pandemic.
“The US rescue plan, signed by the president yesterday, contains $ 24 billion in emergency funding to support childminders,” she said. “This funding can be used to pay rent, utilities and staff, but also to help childminders implement Covid-19 prevention strategies.”
Vaccinations and testing were not one of the “key” strategies set out by the agency. The guidelines rather call them ‘additional layers’ of Covid-19 prevention.
As for the child care programs, the CDC’s newly updated guidance contains’ strategies that child care programs can use to maintain healthy environments and operations, to reduce the risk of Covid-19 clusters in their programs, to prepare for when someone is ill with Covid-19, and to support the handling and resilience of their staff and children and parents who serve them, ‘Walensky said.
‘This updated guidance is intended for all types of child care providers, including child care centers, family child care homes, Head Start programs and nursery school programs – and is intended to supplement other laws, rules or regulations that should replace, and not replace, child care programs. follow, ‘Walensky said. “Know that guidance can be complicated at times. We also release a range of complimentary resources, infographics and tools to help implement programs.”