On April 5, 2022 Dr. Chapple-McGruder, Director of the Village’s Public Health Department, issued new guidance to Oak Park early childhood programs that cancels the order issued on March 2, 2022. To summarize, the Oak Park Public Health Department has lifted the mask mandate for early childhood programs. People who have tested positive for COVID-19 or have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 should continue to follow the below masking and quarantining requirements:
- People who test positive for COVID-19 need to quarantine for 5 days. People who are not fully vaccinated who have come in close contact with someone with COVID-19 also need to quarantine for 5 days.
- Then, they need to wear face coverings on days six (6) through ten (10) in order to return from isolation.
- If there is a COVID-19 testing site at an early childhood program, everyone in the testing room should wear masks.
Read the full April 5 Oak Park Public Health Department Statement here.
Let’s remember that just because the mask mandate has been lifted doesn’t mean that you need to stop masking. If you or the children in your care are more comfortable in a mask, then continue masking. The Oak Park Public Library has a wonderful conversation with Ruthie the Camel about how these masking changes can be an adjustment for young children. Whatever you need to do to feel comfortable and safe, that’s 100% ok!