COVID-19 Safety in School, Child Care, and Youth Settings
Most Berkeley children and youth are back attending in-person child care, school, and extracurricular activities during the 2021-22 school year. Berkeley Public Health is working closely with families and providers to promote safe and successful in-person learning, recreation, and care.
Quick COVID-19 links for families
- What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
- Where can my child get tested for COVID-19?
- Where can my child get a COVID-19 vaccine?
- What if my child has to quarantine?
- What if my child has to isolate?
Layers of COVID-19 safety
No single intervention can fully prevent COVID-19. By layering multiple safety measures, Berkeley families and providers can help protect our youth and minimize missed time participating in school, sports and social activities.
The most important safety tools to protect against COVID-19 are:
- COVID-19 Vaccines: Vaccines are the most effective protection against COVID-19 for adults and children. They are free for all who are eligible (currently those 5 and older) and widely available.
- Masking: Making sure that children mask consistently and correctly helps reduce spread of the virus.
- Staying home when sick: Keep/send children home when they exhibit COVID-19 symptoms.
- COVID-19 testing: Anyone exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms or that have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 should get tested. Free testing is widely available and many schools and programs routinely test students and staff.
For more information on these and other safety measures, see the California Department of Public Health's (CDPH) Safe Schools Hub and CDPH/California Department of Social Services' Guidance for Child Care Providers.
COVID Liaisons at schools and community programs
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Berkeley Public Health has provided training, guidance, and support to designated COVID Liaisons from public and private schools, community agencies, and child care programs across Berkeley. COVID Liaisons support COVID-19 prevention and respond to COVID symptoms, cases and exposures at their sites. Contact the COVID Liaison at your child's school or program for site-specific COVID-19 information.
City of Berkeley's COVID Liaison Toolkit
Find information and tools about COVID-19 response in child and youth settings in the City of Berkeley's COVID Liaison Toolkit. The City developed the toolkit primarily to help COVID Liaisons respond to the pandemic at their sites. Parents and guardians are also welcomed to access this resource.
COVID-19 Policy Resources
Please see the sources below for the most up-to-date COVID-19 policy guidance.
General Guidance & Information
City of Berkeley
- Public Health Orders
- COVID-19 Vaccine Information
- COVID-19 Testing Information
- COVID-19 Interim Guidance for Youth Sports and Extracurricular Activities
California Department of Public Health (CDPH):
- Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings and Face Coverings Q&A
- COVID-19 Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
K-12 Schools Guidance
CDPH:
- COVID-19 public health guidance for K-12 schools in California, 2021-22 school year
- K-12 Schools Guidance 2021-2022 Questions & Answers
- K-12 Schools Testing Framework 2021-2022
- California Safe Schools for All Hub
Alameda County Office of Education/Public Health Department (ACPHD):
Child Care Guidance
CDPH and California Department of Social Services (CDSS):
- Guidance for Child Care Providers and Programs
- California Safe Schools for All, COVID-19 Child Care Resources
ACPHD:
Cal/OSHA Guidance
Cal/OSHA: California employers are subject to the following regarding employees at work sites:
Last updated December 17, 2021