EXPIRED

Interim Guidance: Fall 2021 Guidance for Minors on UW System Campuses

THIS INTERIM GUIDANCE EXPIRED ON DECEMBER 31, 2021.

Original Issuance Date: August 25, 2021

Last Revision Date: November 11, 2021

Expiration Date: December 31, 2021

1.     Purpose of Guidelines

As we approach the youth programming this fall, it is important to consider how to keep minors safe while visiting campuses as well as how to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19 at campuses to host this population. During Summer 2021, pre-arrival testing with youth was the greatest defense against outbreaks in summer youth programs & activities. Taken as a whole, these interventions are key to mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and should be adopted by campuses as policy.

2.     Publishing Office(s)

UW System Office of Compliance & Integrity

3.     Affected Stakeholders on Campus

This guidance pertains to institutions offering youth activities in the fall of 2021. It specifically applies to the program director, teachers, youth-serving staff, single day youth programs and activities participants, multi-day youth programs and activities participants, Dual Enrolled/Early College Credit Students and their parents, guardians, or caregivers.

4.     Primary Responsibility

The UW System Offices of Compliance & Integrity is primarily responsible for this guidance, with input and support from the Offices of General Counsel and Risk Management. The Program Directors will be responsible for implementing the guidance on the campuses.

5.     Guidelines

This guidance is subject to change based on input from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS.)

A. Vaccinations

Vaccinations are the greatest defense against the spread of COVID-19 and we encourage all guests over the age of 12 visiting our campuses to get vaccinated.

B. Masking

In alignment with CDC K-12 guidance, all youth and youth serving staff visiting UW campuses, regardless of vaccination status, should be required wear a mask indoors. If the youth is participating in a sporting event indoors, a mask is not required while participating in the activity though masks should be required to be worn while the participant is on the sidelines.

C. Program Requirements

All activities involving minors should be registered with the Precollege Liaison to ensure compliance and oversight with COVID-19 mitigation protocols.

D. Single Day Activities (Conferences, Field Trips, 1-Day Community Outreach)

  1. Testing is not required for one day events.
  2. All participants should be required to be screened daily for symptoms prior to start of the activity.
  3. Participation is not allowed for those currently experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, in quarantine or isolation.
    1. Symptoms are considered consistent with COVID-19 when one of the symptoms marked with a (^) or two of the other symptoms are present above baseline for that individual.
      • Cough^
      • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
      • New loss of taste or smell^
      • Congestion or runny nose
      • Fever or chills*
      • Nausea or vomiting*
      • Diarrhea*
      • Headache
      • Fatigued muscles or body aches
      • Sore throat
      • *Note: Vomiting, diarrhea, and fever – alone or together – should exclude a person from school, programming or childcare.
  4.  Participant should be required to report to the Program Director any positive molecular (e.g., PCR) or antigen COVID-19 test results if received within three days of the beginning or end of the program.

E. Multi Day Activities (Ongoing after school tutoring, private lessons, multi-day community programs)

  1. Unvaccinated participants should be required to have one of the following:
    1. Tested negative using a molecular or antigen test in a specimen collected within three days of the start of the activity or arrival, or;
    2. Tested negative 72 hours prior to the start of the activity or upon arrival with the Abbott BinaxNOW test (if available on-campus), or;
    3.  Documentation of a positive PCR test within 90 days of the activity and completion of the isolation period.
  2. Vaccinated participants should be required to be screened daily for symptoms prior to start of the activity.
  3. Participation should not be allowed for those currently in quarantine or isolation.
  4. Participant should be required to report any positive COVID-19 test results received within three days after the final day of programming.

F. If a Participant Tests Positive Upon Arrival

Participants testing positive upon the arrival to campus with the Abbott BinaxNOW test should not be eligible to participate in the activity and should be required to return home with parent or guardian.

*It is recommended that institutions encourage parents/ guardians to remain with the participant until testing is complete.

G. If a Participant Shows Symptoms of COVID-19 While at a Program

Program Director should:

  1. Notify the parent/guardian;
  2. Have the participant tested for COVID-19, and;
  3. Isolate the participant until they either have a negative test result or return home.

H. If an Asymptomatic Participant Tests Positive during a Program for COVID-19 with an Abbott BinaxNOW Test

Program Director should:

  1. Isolate minor immediately; and
  2. Notify the parent/guardian to pick up the participant within one hour of notification for commuter programs or within 24 hours for residential programs.
  3. An asymptomatic participant that tested positive with a Binax test may return to programming if they receive a negative PCR test.

I. If a Symptomatic Participant Tests Positive during a Program for COVID-19 with an Abbott BinaxNOW Test

Program Director should:

  1. Isolate the participant immediately;
  2. Notify the parent/guardian or caregiver to pick up the participant within one hour of notification for commuter programs or within 24 hours for residential programs;
  3. Identify and list close contacts of the participant;
  4. Notify the institution’s Precollege Liaison;
  5. Communicate the possible exposure to teachers, staff, and parents, guardians, or caregivers of students in the program;
  6. Communicate with campus facility managers and implement the campus disinfecting and cleaning plan;
  7. Work with campus leadership to assess transmission levels and support any contact tracing efforts requested by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) or the local public health department;
  8. Notify close contact participants and staff to:

If close contact is fully vaccinated-

    1. Participant should be tested 3-5 days after exposure, even if they don’t have symptoms;
    2. Wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days following exposure or until test result is negative;
    3. Isolate for 10 days if test result is positive; and
    4. Consult with a healthcare provider for evaluation.

If close contact is not fully vaccinated-

    1. Quarantine for 14 days
    2. Monitor for symptoms
    3. Get tested 3-5 days after exposure
  2.  * Timing of testing can vary, but should not occur within the first two days after exposure as testing too early can cause a false negative result.
  3. i. Communicate with teachers, staff, and parents, guardians or caregivers the importance of COVID-19 mitigation strategies (e.g., staying home when sick, washing hands, wearing masks, social distancing).
  4. j. Inform the participant that they can return to programming after meeting criteria for ending home isolation.
    1. Visit the CDC website for additional information.

J. Programming Logistics

Implement the following additional strategies to mitigate participant exposure:

  1. Drop-Off and Pick-Up Processes in which parents/guardians are not exposed to other participants during drop-off and pick-ups.
    1. Staggered drop off/pick up times
    2. Curbside pick-up
    3. Outdoor pick-ups with social distancing
  2. Smaller Cohorts or Grouping
  3. Physical Distancing
  4. Cleaning and Disinfecting Protocols (PPE Needs)
  5. Daily Symptom Checks
  6. Handwashing/Hygiene Training
  7. Cleaning and Disinfecting Protocols

*Note: As institutions determine which activities to authorize on-campus, note that outdoor programming has been shown to have a lower COVID-19 transmission rate.

K. Dual Enrolled/ Early College Credit Students

Dual Enrolled/Early College Credit Students should fall under the campuses matriculated student protocols with the exception that all parents/guardians be required to sign a COVID Acknowledgement form and be informed of the campus’s requirements.

L. Minor Employees

If minors are employed by the institution, they will fall under the university’s employee COVID-19 policy.

6.     Contact

UW System Office of Compliance & Integrity

7.     Guideline History

Revision 1: November 11, 2021

Original Issuance: August 25, 2021

8.     Scheduled Review

December 31, 2021