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Murray City School District received (MCSD) guidelines from state and local health officials regarding COVID-19 protocols for schools. A summary of these guidelines is outlined here, but you can also get the full mitigation plan on the COVID-19 information page, linked from the homepage of our website. You can learn more about school district recommendations from the State Health Department here. We hope this information helps as you make decisions and plans that are best for your family.

Summary of COVID-19 Protocols for Murray City School District

COVID-19 Vaccination

Vaccination is not a requirement to enroll in school or join an extracurricular team. To help ensure a safe, in-person learning and social environment, the Salt Lake County Health Department (SLCoHD) strongly recommends that everyone eligible (currently people 12 years and older) be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before the school year begins. Parents should talk to their health care provider when making decisions about vaccinating eligible students.

Face Coverings

Face coverings are not mandatory. Families will need to make individual decisions about when and where to have students wear face coverings. We ask that everyone in our school community respect the individual decisions that are made by families. Please know that most health officials encourage wearing face coverings to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The SLCoHD, in alignment with the Utah Department of Health, also strongly recommends that everyone—vaccinated or not—wear a face mask when indoors in public, including in school. This is especially important in K-6 schools since children under 12 are not yet able to be vaccinated.

COVID-19 Testing

Testing will not be required in most circumstances, including for extracurricular activities. According to state law, testing will only be required if a school has more than 30 positive COVID-19 cases. If this happens, students must be tested to remain at the school for their learning and extracurricular activities – unless they have been fully vaccinated or have had a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the previous 90 days.

Feel Sick, Stay Home

Students who have COVID-like symptoms should stay home from school. Having symptomatic individuals stay home will significantly reduce the possibility of having to implement “test-to-stay.” Additionally, anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 will not be permitted at school or any school activities during their isolation period (10 days from test date) – regardless of vaccination status.

Quarantine

Quarantine decisions will be made by the Health Department. Parents/guardians will be contacted by public health if their student was closer than six feet for more than 15 minutes to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or if they participated in an extracurricular activity with a COVID-19 positive individual. The notice will recommend that these exposed students remain at home for up to 10 days, unless they:

  • Choose to wear a face mask at school for 10 days after the exposure, or
  • Are fully vaccinated, or
  • Have had a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 90 days.

All exposed individuals can choose to test out of masking or their quarantine on day 7.

Remote Learning

Students who are exposed to COVID-19 and choose to remain at home during their quarantine period will be asked to contact their regular classroom teacher(s) so they can continue their learning remotely, for up to 10 days. Students who test positive for COVID-19 will also be asked to work with their classroom teacher(s) to continue their learning remotely.

Sanitation and Hygiene

Schools will continue to implement best practices with cleaning, physical distancing, and other actions designed to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

COVID-19 Case Counts

MCSD will post COVID-19 case count numbers on our website regularly during the week so that parents have information for their child’s school.

Be SMART

  • Stay home when sick or when waiting for COVID-19 test results
  • Masks are a personal choice, but may prevent sickness and quarantine
  • Advocate for distancing when possible
  • Remember good hygiene and sanitation
  • Talk to your health care provider about vaccinating eligible students

MCSD has worked with the Utah Department of Health COVID-19 mobile testing team to provide testing every Monday and Wednesday from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. in the southeast parking lot of Murray High School (off State Street). Nasal PCR, saliva PCR, and rapid antigen testing for anyone ages 3 and older is available.
No appointment is necessary. However, it is helpful to complete the Testing Registration Form before you arrive.

The District will continue to work with our local health officials to monitor COVID-19 case counts in MCSD and will keep you informed of any adjustments to these guidelines.