By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
Savannah school students will be given a choice to take a COVID-19 test rather than quarantine if they come in contact with someone who tests positive for the coronavirus.
The new protocol takes effect tomorrow.
Previously, Savannah required students to quarantine for 10 days if they were in close contact with someone who had tested positive for COVID-19.
Savannah School District spokeswoman Jess Gillett says now, after working with the Andrew County Health Department, the school is ready to implement a new Test to Stay protocol.
"Rather than being at home on quarantine, those students will have the option of taking a test," Gillett tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "You have to test three times within your first seven days, they can take the test and as long as they are testing negative they can stay on campus."
Participation in the Test to Stay is voluntary. Parents can opt their student out of the new testing protocol if they would like.
Gillett says students will have to test negative three times within the first seven days of the quarantine period, and they won't have to do it just at the school thanks to partnership with the Urgent Care Express in St. Joseph.
"That is where that community partnership with us and Urgent Care is so vital, they are open on the weekends and so it does have to be the Urgent Care there on 169 they are the ones we are in partnership with," Gillett explains. "So as long as the student goes in there and identifies themselves as part of the Savannah R3 Test to Stay program."
Students that do test negative through the program and are able to return to class will be required to wear a mask.
As for the the Savannah School mask policy, Gillett says there is no change.
"That hasn't changed at all, we are still mask optional, they are strongly recommended but it is optional," Gillett says. "Now if you choose to participate in the Test to Stay program, while you're going through that testing process you do have to wear a mask on campus."
Students who have come into close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 must go through at least three tests in the first 7 days.
The school district created the new protocol after consulting with the Andrew County Health Department as well as state officials.