Parent Update – January 2021

Recently several guidelines and policies have been updated by the Department of Early Education and Care, we wanted to make sure you were aware of two of these changes.

• Returning to care
  • If your child is unable to attend care because of symptoms on the daily health screening form, before returning to care they must either:
    • Get a COVID-19 (PCR) test that is negative, have symptoms improve, and be fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication
    • Or, self-isolate for a minimum of 10 days from the first symptoms and be fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicine
  • If your child is identified as a close contact of a COVID-19 positive individual, they must quarantine until they receive approval from a public health authority to be released. To discuss quarantine requirements or dates, you can reach the Lowell Health Department at 978-674-4010.
• Flu Shot
  • The influenza vaccine has been added to the DPH list of mandated vaccinations and is now required for all children 6 months and older attending child care. Children must have received the current Flu Season vaccination by February 28, 2021.
  • If your child has already received a flu shot, please provide documentation to your Provider to ensure records are up to date.
  • If your child has not yet received a flu shot, please contact your pediatrician or attend a flu shot clinic appropriate for the age of your child and provide documentation to your Provider once received.
  • For more information on the flu vaccine and immunization schedules from DPH, please visit mass.gov/info-details/school-immunizations

We greatly appreciate your support in helping child care programs remain safe and open. As always please continue to practice social distancing and mask wearing and notify your Provider as soon as possible if your child develops symptoms or is identified as a close contact of a COVID-19 positive individual. Feel free to call with any questions.