SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — Sioux Falls public schools are loosening quarantine requirements for students amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Students will now be able to stay in school if they contacted someone with the virus, as long as both the student and the infected person were wearing masks. That previously required a two-week quarantine.
The Sioux Falls School Board unanimously approved the change at a special meeting Wednesday night. It goes into effect Thursday.
Board members said the change addressed concerns that the current rules keep students out of the classroom even though the number of students and staff with the disease is well under one percent. Kate Parker, whose son missed 10 days of school in quarantine, said he felt anxiety while staying at home.
“He’s got six missing assignments right now and he’s got an F in two classes, because of those missing assignments and missing tests,” Parker said.
Students can only skip quarantine if they and the person infected were both wearing masks; existing rules still apply for unmasked students. There is no mask mandate in Sioux Falls public schools.
Board President Cynthia Mickelson said the change would encourage students to wear masks in an effort to avoid missing time in class.
