639 Operating Schools During COVID-19: CDC Guidelines

Plan and Prepare

Emergency Operations Plans (EOP): Review, Update, and Implement

Every school should have a plan to protect staff, children, and their families from the spread of COVID-19 and a response plan in place for if/when a student, teacher, or staff member tests positive for COVID-19.

This plan should be developed in collaboration with:

• state and local public health departments;
• parents, caregivers, and guardians;
• school nurses;
• student leaders;
• community members; and
• other relevant partners.

Schools should give Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) components that address infectious disease outbreaks and their consequences a high priority.

Reference these key resources on emergency preparedness while reviewing, updating, and implementing the EOP.

• The Department of Education and other federal agencies have developed resources on school planning principles and a 6-step process for creating plans to build and continually foster safe and healthy school communities before, during, and after possible emergencies.
• The Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance Center's website contains free resources, training, and technical assistance (TA) for schools and their community partners, including many tools and resources on emergency planning and response to infectious disease outbreaks. Schools may find these considerations help develop high-quality emergency operations plans.

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