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Communicable Disease Prevention Protocols

HCOS protocols for face to face programming are formulated in alignment with HCOS Mission Vision and Values and in conjunction with guidance received from the Ministry of Education K-12 Communicable Disease Prevention plan. This page is updated as needed and is current with ministry information. Note: Nuances may vary per event, learning activity and region; the Coordinator will communicate information and protocols as applicable in that setting.

In general, students should not attend school if they have symptoms of illness which include coughing, sneezing, gastrointestinal symptoms, or fever. If a child has had a fever due to a cold or virus, we ask that they not return to school until they have been clear of a fever (without medication) for 24 hours. 

Key points and on-site protocols to note:   
  • Enabling children to maintain face-to-face learning, recreational and social activities is important to their overall health and well-being. 
  • Prevention measures such as regular hand washing, staying home when sick, and choosing to wear a mask or face covering and respecting the personal space of others continue to be seen by Public Health as effective at reducing the spread of illnesses. 
  • Ensuring that Teachers, contractors and students are health aware by checking regularly for symptoms of illness (including symptoms of COVID-19) using a daily health check, and staying home when sick and unable to participate fully in routine activities.  
  • A continued regime to providing a clean and safe learning environment continues.
    • Frequently touched surfaces and shared equipment are cleaned and disinfected regularly and when visibly dirty.
  • Vaccines are not mandated for staff and students over the age of 5 who could be vaccinated.
  • Extra-curricular school activities will be governed by the wider provincial or local health authority orders.
  • Respect for the personal choice of others to wear or not wear a mask.
  • Respect for the personal space of others.
Parent-Initiated Activities 
  • If a parent engages a third party to provide a learning activity for their child, it is the parents' responsibility to ensure reasonable health and safety measures are in place for those programs or services. 
Learning Group School Run Programs and Events

This table lists communicable diseases along with their incubation periods and required exclusion times from group learning activities. Please contact lg@onlineschool.ca with any questions.

Disease Incubation Period Time Period to Exclude from Face-to-face  Learning Activities
Chicken Pox 14-21 days From appearance of rash plus 7 days
Hand, Foot, Mouth   3-5 days or up until all sores have scabbed over, no fever or sore throat
Impetigo 2-5 days 48 hours after treatment start
Lice   Until approved treatment is completed and office has confirmed readiness to return to school 
Mumps 12-26 days Until swelling subsides usually 7 days
Pink Eye 3-5 days 48 hours after treatment starts
Rubella/German Measles 14-21 days Five days from onset
Rubella/Red Measles 10-14 days 7 days from appearance of rash
Whooping Cough 7-10 days Until recovery (approx. 21 days)
Fever, Vomiting, Diarrhea
Symptom-free for 24 hours without the use of medication.
  • We adhere to the Communicable Disease Prevention in K-12 Schools as outlined by the BC Ministry of Education.
  • Parents are encouraged to review protocols with their child(ren), as appropriate, to help prepare for their attendance at face-to-face activities.
  • Adults and children on-site are responsible for being health aware. To support this, complete a Daily Health Check prior to attending an LG program. If a student or adult participant is sick, let the coordinator know of the illness and stay home until symptoms disappear. (Common symptoms associated with seasonal allergies are exempt, but please inform your Campus Lead/Coordinator. 
  • If adult or student attendees develop symptoms of illness while on-site, the individual will be separated from the group and head home or be picked up.
  • Each child should be provided with snacks/lunch and a full water bottle, and basic school supplies, as appropriate to the Learning Group opportunity. A water bottle may be refilled; mouths should not touch fountains.
  • If students are attending a field trip, only private vehicles will be used for transportation. If carpooling occurs, provide maximum ventilation, spacing as well as hand-washing. The host site's communicable disease plan will be reviewed prior to booking to help ensure student safety.

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