- New York State Center for School Health
- COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
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On August 22, 2022, School Officials from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the New York State
Education Department (NYSED)released a Joint Guidance Letter along with Frequently Asked Questions.
These documents can be found at the NYSDOH Schools & Youth Page under Guidance for Schools.All questions regarding these documents may be directed to the NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH):
1-888-364-3065 or schoolquestionscovid@health.ny.govContact information for Local County Health Departments - NYS Local Health Department Websites and Phone Numbers by Counties Listing
State and Federal Resources
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NYSDOH PreK-12 Schools Guidance
Schools & Youth | Department of Health
Ensuring a safe and healthy school environment for our children as they return to school this fall is a top priority. The NYSDOH continues to be ready to answer questions by email at SchoolQuestionsCOVID@health.ny.gov -
NYSED P-12 School Guidance
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CDC Guidance for Schools | Child Care
CDC considerations below are meant to supplement—not replace—state, local, territorial, or tribal health and safety laws, rules, and regulations with which schools must comply.
Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19
This page provides information on if or when someone needs to quarantine or isolate and provides a quarantine and isolation calculator.Operational Guidance for K-12 Schools and Early Care and Education Programs to Support Safe In-Person Learning
This page provides strategies to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and maintain safe operations in schools in childcare programs.CDC Updated Mask Resources:
CDC Information on International Travel
Page Updated 2/13/23
Testing and School Data
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NYSDOH School Testing Resources
There are many testing resources available to support testing for the school population.
The information on the Schools & Youth | Department of Health webpage under the Testing Resources for Schools section provides details about testing resources made available to schools in New York State.
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CDC Resources for COVID Testing
Please visit the Schools and Childcare Programs | COVID-19 | CDC which provides a list of federal resources for screening testing programs in schools.
Other Resources
Performing Broad-Based Testing for SARS-CoV-2 in Congregate Settings: Considerations for Health Departments and Healthcare Providers
The CDC has published an overview to assist public health departments and healthcare providers prepare for broad-based viral testing for COVID in congregate settings (like schools). It covers supplies needed, coordination of planning between healthcare providers, the local health department, physical space, the flow for testing multiple people in succession, and what to do after testing is completed.Overview of Testing for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)
This document is intended to provide guidance on the appropriate use of testing for SARS-CoV-2 in light of additional testing capacity throughout the country and does not address decisions regarding payment for or insurance coverage of such testing.To Test or Not to Test: Considerations for Waived Testing (CDC 2019)
This CDC checklist and booklet review what is needed to conduct waived testing and can be helpful for those considering on-site COVID-19 testing at schools. Sites performing only waived tests must obtain a Certificate of Waiver by applying for this certification for each location performing testing. Note: A NYS a Limited Service Lab Certificate (LSL) is the NYS equivalent of a Federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) waiver. -
FDA COVID Testing Resources
Coronavirus Testing Basics
Testing basics are available on the FDA website here.
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Schools and school districts are not required to report vaccination status or information by employed teachers or other staff as detailed in Executive Order 202.95 at this time. Requesting staff vaccine status is a labor-management decision at the local school district level. Districts should consult their attorneys. Individual employees should consult their union. If vaccine status or any other personal health information is provided directly by the school staff member, HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) is not involved. HIPPA protects patient health information from being disclosed without the patient's consent or knowledge by a health care provider. FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) protects student records and does not pertain to school staff.
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Resources are provided for informational purposes and do not constitute or infer an endorsement of specific vendors or services by the NYSED|NYSCSH. NYSED|NYSCSH is not responsible for the content of the individual organization materials or external website links provided as resources.
