Spring Branch ISD issues guidelines for international travel during spring break
Spring Break #SpringBreak
Spring Branch ISD and students and staff who travel internationally will be required to quarantine before returning to in-person lessons. The move is pertinent as the district prepares to close for Spring Break during the week of March 15-19, SBISD officials said.
“At the advice of our local medical community and in keeping with the (Jan. 21) Presidential Executive Order and the CDC guidelines, we have notified students and staff that they will be required to quarantine after any international travel during Spring Break,” read a statement from the district. “Students who do travel internationally should attend virtual classes for the recommended quarantine period.”
The CDC guidelines require people to get a viral test 3-5 days after returning to the country and staying home and self-quarantining for seven days upon returning regardless of the result of the test or staying home and self-quarantining for 10 days upon returning.
Neither the presidential executive order nor Spring Branch ISD’s statement addressed quarantine or other requirements for domestic travel.
According to Spring Branch ISD’s COVID-19 dashboard, as of Feb. 28, the district has 108 active cases, 93 student and 15 staff with Wilchester Elementary School (17 cases, 15 students and 2 staff) and Memorial High School (10 cases, all students) having the highest number of cases.
Spring Branch ISD has approximately 35,000 total students.
The most recent data from the Harris County Public Health Department shows 18,730 active COVID-19 cases.
“It is critically important that we do everything we can to protect the health and safety of our students and staff as the COVID-19 pandemic continues,” the statement from Spring Branch ISD concludes.
elliott.lapin@hearst.com