08/08/2021

By: Brittany Flaherty Theis

Late Friday, ISBE uploaded a new joint guidance document with its COVID-19 resources. The joint guidance reiterated the current state-wide mandate that requires masks be worn indoors by all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to P-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status, except for under limited circumstances. The joint guidance also discussed quarantine procedures, Test to Stay protocol, mask violations, and many other topics relevant to starting the 2021-22 school year. Sometime late Saturday night or early Sunday, the joint guidance document was removed. Whitt Law LLC will continue monitoring ISBE’s resources for the joint guidance to be re-released and to determine whether any revisions have been made.

In the meantime, the ISBE/IDPH FAQ, dated August 2, 2021, regarding the CDC’s updated guidance remains available, but has not been revised since the Governor’s mandate was issued on August 4, 2021. Whitt Law anticipates the FAQ will be updated in the near future and the joint guidance document, similar to those previously released by ISBE and IDPH, will be made available to the public again soon.

Please contact one of the attorneys at Whitt Law LLC if you have any questions as you prepare for the 2021-22 school year in light of the evolving guidance and requirements.

***UPDATE***The Revised Public Health Guidance for Schools: Part 5 – Supporting the Full Return to In-Person Learning for All Students August 2021 is again available on ISBE’s website today. It can be found here.

Whitt Law LLC will work closely with its clients to navigate the contents of this joint guidance document. For others with questions regarding the Revised Public Health Guidance for Schools or this blog post, please contact Whitt Law Senior Attorney Brittany Flaherty Theis.