Ontario Changed Its COVID-19 Screening Guidance For Students & Here's What You Need To Know

The Ontario government has shortened the list of COVID-19 symptoms that would require students to stay home from school ahead of their return to in-person learning next month.

The Ministry Of Health's updated screening tool lists five symptoms most "commonly associated with COVID-19" that students should screen for — which include fever/chills, coughing or barking cough, shortness of breath, decrease or loss of taste or smell, and nausea as well as vomiting and diarrhea. According to the form, children must screen for COVID-19 every day before going to school or any child care centre.

CP24 reports that the government has changed the screening list of COVID-19 symptoms several times since last fall, which previously included runny noses, sore throats, and headaches.

The updated guidelines also allow fully vaccinated siblings of children exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms to continue attending classes.

Despite the changes, public health authorities are still encouraging parents to keep their children at home if they display any concerning symptoms commonly linked to COVID-19.

"If you have even the slightest suspicion that your child is unwell we need you to keep that child at home and apart until it's clear what is giving rise to their symptoms," Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto's medical officer of health, told reporters on Monday.