Children can be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, can get sick, and can spread the virus to others. Child care provides crucial support for parents and guardians, and provides many benefits for a child’s social and early learning development. Parents may have concerns about the risks of bringing their children to child care programs while COVID-19 and the Delta variant exist in the community, and the risks should be weighed against the benefits. CDC and VDH continue to recommend children aged two years and older wear masks while indoors in child care settings. Employees in child care settings should continue to mask, regardless of vaccination status (see Department of Labor and Industry Standard FAQ).
No matter the level of transmission in a community, every child care program should have a plan in place with multiple layers of prevention to protect staff, children and their families from the spread of COVID-19. VDH works closely with the Virginia Department of Education (DOE), and other partners to create guidance for these settings.
Resources from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH)
- COVID-19 Interim Guidance for Child Care Facility Collaboration with the Local Health Department (8/17/21)
- Contact Tracing as a Partnership Involving VDH, the Child and Parents/Guardians, and Schools/Child Care Programs (11/17/20)
- VDH Considerations for Recreational Sports
- Template Letters for COVID-19 Cases in the Center
Resources from the Virginia Department of Education (DOE)
Resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Learn how to talk with children about COVID-19:
It is important to have open and honest conversations with children about the role they play in stopping the spread of COVID-19. Learn more about how to talk to children about COVID-19 here.
Children and mask use:
CDC and VDH recommend children two years and older wear masks while at daycare. More information from CDC on COVID-19 protection measures for children can be found here.
Masks should be removed while napping.
Considerations for decisions regarding school attendance:
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, it is important that children who have COVID-19 or might have it do not come to school or daycare sick. VHD has guidelines for when to keep your child home from school or other child care settings.
For information about participation in recreational sports, visit VDH Considerations for Recreational Sports.
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C)
While children do not appear to be at higher risk for COVID-19 than adults, VDH, CDC and other public health staff are investigating Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in children (MIS-C) linked to COVID-19. MIS-C may cause problems with a child’s heart and other systems in the body. Signs and symptoms of MIS-C include fever, belly or gut pain, vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, rash, red or cracked lips, red or bumpy tongue, or swollen hands and feet.
If your child has any of these signs or other symptoms of COVID-19, contact your pediatrician. If your child is showing any emergency warning signs including trouble breathing, pain or pressure in the chest that won’t go away, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, bluish lips or face, severe belly pain, or other concerning signs, seek emergency care right away.
Vaccination
Children 12 years and older are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and availability will be expanded to younger children. You can protect your child from contracting COVID-19 and possible complications like MIS-C by getting them vaccinated. If your child is too young to be vaccinated, the best way to protect them is to get vaccinated yourself and encourage any adults who spend time with your children to get vaccinated as well. Vaccination protects others who might be more vulnerable to COVID-19, like grandparents, by reducing a child’s chances of transmitting the disease. For more information on how to get vaccinated, visit Vaccinate.Virginia.gov or call 1-877-VAX-IN-VA.
VDH Resources:
- VDH Guideline: When Should a Child Stay Home from School and/or Child Care?
- English (9/15/21 - translations pending)
- VDH Guideline: When Should a Child Stay Home from School and/or Child Care? Infographics Only
- English (9/15/21 - translations pending)
- VDH Algorithm for Evaluating a Child with COVID-19 Symptoms or Exposures
- 1-pager: English (9/15/21 - translations pending)
The COVID-19 Virginia Standard adopted by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) outlines the responsibilities for businesses in preventing and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.
COVID-19 case reports must be filed through the Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) online reporting portal. This portal ensures case reports will meet VDH and DOLI reporting compliance. Up to 10 COVID-19 positive cases may be entered in the portal at once.
After the initial report of outbreak (two or more cases), employers shall continue to report all cases to VDH until the local health department notifies the business that the outbreak has been closed.
After the outbreak is closed, subsequent identification of two or more cases of COVID-19 during a declared emergency shall be reported, as above.
General questions can be addressed to respiratory@vdh.virginia.gov
Cleaning
Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility (CDC) (4/5/21)- Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility handout (CDC)
- Disinfectants for Coronavirus (COVID-19) (EPA)
Communication and Signage
- The VDH Signage Toolkits for Businesses includes signage to promote hand hygiene, physical distancing, and to encourage mask use.
- COVID-19 One-Stop Shop Communication Toolkits (CDC)
- COVID Related Videos/PSA's (CDC)
- Print-ready resources (CDC)
- Hygiene-related Posters (CDC)
- Handwashing Activities for Children
HVAC/Indoor Air Quality
Increasing ventilation in indoor spaces is one way to reduce potential for airborne transmission of COVID-19. The EPA’s website on Indoor Air and Coronavirus (COVID-19) has more information about how to reduce potential airborne transmission of COVID-19. The EPA also provides an Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Action Kit. VHD has a page on Ventilation Best Practices and Ventilation Best Practices handout.
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has Guidance for Building Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Technical Resources for the Reopening of Schools and Universities. The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) also has Reopening Guidance for General Office Settings, which may be helpful for school facilities.
Day Camps:
Campers, staff, and visitors at day camps should follow guidelines outlined in CDC Guidance for Operating Youth Camps.
Overnight Camps:
For guidance on overnight camps, please see the overnight camp page.
