September 21, 2020

DHS: Schools should continue to follow quarantine, isolation protocols

DHS: Schools should continue to follow quarantine, isolation protocols Featured Image

School administrators, teachers and staff should continue to follow quarantine and isolation protocols outlined in the Wisconsin Department of Health Services school outbreak guidance, the department has confirmed.

The confirmation came after some confusion arose after the federal Department of Homeland Security in August updated its list of essential critical infrastructure workers to include all educational workers (teachers, custodians, etc). In fact, most employed persons, with the exception of those in the entertainment industry, are included in this guidance. The  federal list is advisory in nature and is not a federal directive or standard.

Wisconsin Department of Health Services stated its understanding is that identifying a company or sector as critical infrastructure may make it eligible for certain funding or may make it eligible for exemptions from state and local orders. A critical infrastructure designation conveys no particular legal status in and of itself. State, local, tribal and territorial officials identify critical infrastructure.

Wisconsin is still reviewing the updates from the federal Department of Homeland Security, but has not made any changes to its current quarantine and isolation protocols.