COVID-19 Policies
RICHMOND HOMESCHOOL COLLECTIVE COVID-19 GUIDELINES
VACCINATION
Vaccination is currently the leading public health prevention strategy to end the COVID-19 pandemic. RHC is requiring all eligible students and anyone entering the building to be fully vaccinated. Currently, everyone age 5 and up is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. Ages 12 and up are eligible for a booster vaccine.
Any eligible person who will be entering the building needs to be fully vaccinated (to include a booster) and to upload their vaccine card reflecting this information to the RHC website. Fully vaccinated is currently defined as two weeks past your second dose (Pfizer and Moderna) or two weeks past your single dose (Johnson & Johnson) and, if eligible, to have had your booster shot.
Those under the age of eligibility will be required to show proof of their first dose within 30 days of reaching the age of eligibility and proof of their second dose within 60 days of reaching the age of eligibility.
Those with a documented medical reason to delay vaccination should contact the RHC admin team.
This vaccination policy may change during the active school term as CDC recommendations evolve.
MASKS
Masks must be worn indoors by all individuals (age 2 and older) regardless of vaccination status. Masks must have ear loops to ensure they stay in place and are easy to take on and off. Gaiters, bandanas, and masks with valves do not provide adequate protection. If a mask is cloth, it must be double-layered. Disposable masks are also acceptable. Masks may be removed when outside and socially distanced at least 3 feet.
PHYSICAL DISTANCING
Physical distancing (3 feet) will be implemented to the extent possible while inside.
VENTILATION
Improving ventilation is an important COVID-19 prevention strategy that can reduce the number of virus particles in the air. Along with other preventive strategies, including wearing a well-fitting, multi-layered mask, bringing fresh outdoor air into a building helps keep virus particles from concentrating inside. This will be done by opening multiple doors and windows wherever possible.
HYGIENE
People should practice handwashing and respiratory etiquette (covering coughs and sneezes) to keep from getting and spreading infectious illnesses including COVID-19.
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Hands should be washed with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
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Everyone should wash hands frequently, and young children should be assisted with proper handwashing.
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If handwashing is not possible, hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol should be used.
CLEANING
All high-touch surfaces will be cleaned with an EPA-approved disinfectant at the end of each day.
STAY HOME IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
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Fever or chills
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Cough
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Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
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Fatigue
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Muscle or body aches
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Headache
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New loss of taste or smell
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Sore throat
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Congestion or runny nose
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Nausea or vomiting
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Diarrhea
If a student or family member has any of these symptoms, please stay home.
QUARANTINE
Anyone who has had close contact (within 6 feet of someone for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with someone with COVID-19 should stay home for 14 days after their last exposure to that person.
People who are fully vaccinated do NOT need to quarantine after contact with someone who had COVID-19 unless they have symptoms. The CDC recommends that fully vaccinated people get tested 3-5 days after their exposure, even if they don’t have symptoms, and wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days following exposure or until their test result is negative.
If a student (or family member who has been present inside our facility) tests positive for COVID-19, the RHC Admin Team must be notified immediately.
American Academy of Pediatric recommendations (7/19/21):
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations (7/9/21, updated with Delta variant evidence):
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-guidance.html
Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (7/30/21):