Seven Day Isolation Period Required After International Travel

Following guidelines and recommendations from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Independent School District 518 will begin requiring a mandatory self-isolation period of seven days upon returning from travel outside of the United States of America. It is recommended that anyone returning from international travel be tested for COVID-19 three to five days after their trip. Those who have completed a COVID-19 vaccine regimen and two weeks from the final dose has past are exempt from this rule.

If a negative COVID-19 test is provided during the self-isolation period, that person may end the self-isolation period after seven days and be allowed to enter ISD 518 facilities. If no negative COVID-19 test is provided, the individual must remain in self-isolation for ten days before being allowed to enter ISD 518 facilities.

This new policy concerning travel outside of the country follows CDC guidelines and is focused on protecting the health of our students, staff, and entire district community. For more information on the CDC policy, please click on this link to the official CDC webpage.

Here are some actions you may take to protect others from getting sick:

• When you are around others, stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths) from anyone who did not travel with you, particularly in crowded areas.
• Wear a mask covering both your nose and mouth when you are in shared spaces outside of your home.
• If there are people in the household who did not travel with you, wear a mask and ask everyone in the household to wear masks in shared spaces inside your home for 14 days after travel.
• Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Look for symptoms of COVID-19, and take your temperature if you feel sick.