COVID-19 Transmission Mitigation Tactics

STAY INFORMED: Visit CDE’s COVID-19 Resources for Schools page

The guidance in the toolkit will be adjusted over the coming weeks based on feedback and the evolving situation with COVID-19.

Overview

There are multiple approaches to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. As feasible, use all of the transmission mitigation tactics below.

When it is not feasible to use all of the mitigation tactics, consider how to layer them. For instance, if students cannot remain 6-foot apart, cohort students. Cohorting is the most important strategy to keep schools open. If strict cohorts cannot occur, some cohorting is better than none. In addition, consider layering other tactics, such as masks, to reduce transmission risk.

Deciding how to implement multiple layers of protection is specific to the local school/district community and grade level. Additional grade-level-specific guidance, based on the health guidance by COVID-19 phase,is provided in the charts below.

Jump to a Section:

Cohorts
Congestion
Distance

Gatherings
Masks
Movement

Respiratory Output
Time Together
Touching Surfaces

Lower Risk

Cohorts

Strict Cohorts

COVID Contained Response With Cohorting diagram

Congestion

Open Spaces

Distance

6 feet Apart or More

Gatherings

Within Recommended Gathering Size

Group size less than recommended limit lower risk

Masks

Wearing a Mask

Movement

Directed Movement

Respiratory Output

Normal Respiratory Output

Time Together

Less Than 15 minutes Together

Duration less than 15 minutes lower risk

Touching Surfaces

Minimal Touching of Surfaces

Higher Risk

Cohorts

Broad Cohorts

COVID Widespread Disruption Without Cohorting diagram

Congestion

Tightly-Packed Spaces

Distance

Less Than 6 Feet Apart

Gatherings

Above Recommended Gathering Size

Group size Greater than recommended limit higher risk

Masks

Not Wearing a Mask

Movement

Undirected Movement

Respiratory Output

Increased Respiratory Output

Time Together

More Than 15 minutes Together

Duration more than 15 minutes higher risk

Touching Surfaces

Increased Touching of Surfaces

Feedback

CDE invites your feedback and ideas for this framework and toolkit.

View a summary of the feedback through June 25.

Provide Feedback

Legend

An entity is legally bound to do, as required by...
ⓘ Read More

...federal or state law, executive orders, state/local public health orders, state board rule, or in the case of waivers, expectations that the state board requires in exchange for waiving a state law or rule. Executive orders and public health orders could change over the next months as we learn more about COVID-19 and receive updated epidemiological data.

Guidance provides recommendations for “how to” implement a statute or rule.
ⓘ Read More

These recommendations in this toolkit are based on best practice and provide direction for how to operationalize the requirements set forth in various executive orders and public health orders. All efforts should be made to follow the recommendations when feasible.