West-MEC — Western Maricopa Education Center — A Faster Way Forward

COVID-19 FAQ

What are COVID-19 symptoms?
COVID-19 symptoms vary from person to person, but please self-monitor for any of the following: Fever of 100.4 degrees or higher, Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, muscle aches, sore throat, headache, fatigue, congestion or runny nose, cough, vomiting, diarrhea.
What constitutes a vaccinated person?
Per Maricopa County Public Health a vaccinated person has the following:
• Documented COVID-19 vaccination
OR
• Documented COVID-19 infection within last 90 days

Can students wear masks?
Yes. This is optional for students, staff and visitors.
The only time students are required to wear masks is if it is part of the lab experience and part of the PPE protocols for the students program (e.g., Medical Assisting, Dental Assisting, etc.).

What are the COVID-19 mitigation procedures?
Campuses will continue to social distance when feasible, provide hand sanitizer, and encourage hand washing. All campuses will be cleaned and sanitized daily.
Do students need to be vaccinated?
Students, staff and visitors are not required to be vaccinated in order to be on campus.

What are the current quarantine procedures?
All students must follow requirements from Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) which state that students who are exposed to COVID-19 must quarantine for 10 days from the date of exposure. Exposure is defined as being within 6-feet for 15 cumulative minutes or more. A student who has proof of vaccination will not be required to quarantine if they are exposed to someone with COVID-19 on campus, as per the Maricopa County Department of Public Health.
Here are the current student COVID-19 quarantine protocols:
COVID SYMPTOMS – Fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, muscle aches, sore throat, headache, fatigue, congestion or runny nose, vomiting, diarrhea.
• Vaccinated – Stay home until symptom free for 24 hours. COVID testing
recommended
• Non-vaccinated – Stay home until symptom free for 24 hours – COVID testing
recommended

COVID EXPOSURE – Within 6 feet of a positive person for 15 minutes or longer within a 24-hour period
• Vaccinated – Can continue attending school & does not need to quarantine if they are
not exhibiting any COVID symptoms (must provide proof of vaccination)
• Non-vaccinated – Quarantine for 10 days from the date of exposure
o May return to school with a negative test and must be symptom free for 24
hours without medication

TESTED POSITIVE – 10-day quarantine from the time of symptoms or testing positive
• Vaccinated & Non-vaccinated –10-day quarantine

o   Must be symptom free 24 hours without medication to return to school after the 10 day quarantine

Can we ask students/parents for proof of COVID-19 vaccination?
Yes. Based upon the Maricopa County Public Health Department, students should be asked for verification of vaccination or previous infection in order to determine quarantine requirements.