Yes, you will need to abide by quarantine rules and guidelines unless your travel is limited to DC, Maryland, and Virginia, which does not require quarantine or testing, or you have been fully vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 within the past three months.
Individuals within the Close community who are fully vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 do not need to quarantine after either exposure to an individual with COVID-19 OR after travel, provided that: (a) the vaccinated individual is asymptomatic; (b) at least two weeks has elapsed since the individual received the second dose of the vaccine; and (c) no more than 90 days has elapsed since the second dose was administered. Vaccinated individuals are still subjected to weekly COVID-19 testing measures.
Vaccinated individuals are required to adhere to all risk-mitigation measures in
place on the Close, including wearing masks; physical distancing of at least six feet; frequent hand washing and other hand hygiene measures; and well-ventilated work areas or classrooms.
Explanation for the Policy: The Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines currently being administered across the U.S. have excellent efficacy at preventing symptomatic COVID infection. Although their impact on asymptomatic infection and transmission is not fully known, encouraging data led the CDC to issue new guidance exempting asymptomatic individuals who have been fully vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 within the past three months from having to quarantine after a COVID-19 exposure. By extension, vaccinated persons without symptoms do not need to quarantine following travel during this interval, since the risk posed by travel is predominantly due to the potential for unrecognized exposure to infected persons. (Note: this does not mean that the vaccine is only protective for three months, but rather that the CDC is comfortable from its early data at this time issuing a guidance that is operable for three months.)
We strongly encourage members of our Cathedral school communities to be thoughtful about the amount and nature of their travel. We ask our community members to abide by the D.C. guidelines for travel and quarantine and to stay abreast of these changing guidelines.
We view our Cathedral schools’ policy as an investment in the safety of the Close community and a way to sustain in-person learning through the end of the school year. We thank you for your support, understanding, and continued partnership.
The
Beauvoir Covenant remains steadfastly in place. We urge members of our community to stay vigilant with those outside their household. Avoid small, unmasked, indoor and outdoor gatherings without adequate social distancing. We appreciate your help and support as we continue to work together in the spirit of shared sacrifice and collective responsibility.