The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
DPH: Here are guidelines to hold graduations, proms in Connecticut
With recent assurances from Gov. Ned Lamont that end-of-year high school celebrations could be held, the state Department of Public Health has offered guidance to school leaders on how to limit the spread of COVID-19 as they plan prom and graduation events.
The three-page document issued late last week stresses the importance of key measures like mask wearing, social distancing, hand sanitizing and limiting groups for events that carry the potential for COVID transmission.
“With the continuing spread of more contagious virus variants and other unknown variables still in play, the [DPH] continues to urge individuals and organizations to take a cautious approach to event planning,” the guidance reads.
Last week, Lamont said students and families could count on in-person graduations this year as vaccinations increase and restrictions ease.
“I know that’s important to a lot of you as you want to plan ahead. So plan on it,” Lamont said at the time.
The guidance strongly suggests that school officials consider holding graduation events outside, if possible, and limit the use of tents or other types of enclosures — opting for rain dates instead of inside ceremonies if there’s inclement weather.
If an indoor ceremony is necessary, DPH said schools should be prepared to significantly limit capacity.
DPH suggests that school officials amend the traditional timing of events like prom, graduation and grad-night as transmission rates of the virus are anticipated to improve and more people will be vaccinated.
Since vaccines are now available to anyone 16 and older, and state officials are working with school districts to plan vaccination clinics, DPH recommended pushing back prom dates to allow for more high school seniors and juniors to get vaccinated.
If events are scheduled in person, DPH told school officials they should consider limiting movement at prom and similar gatherings, even removing food and drinks so students do not have to take off their masks.
DPH proposed schools offer a designated area where students can take a break from wearing a mask to increase the likelihood the face coverings will remain on during the event.
School officials should also plan to include testing to ensure that students are safe during these events, DPH wrote in the guidance.
“As more individuals become fully vaccinated, the need for COVID-19 testing is significantly decreased and more testing resources are available. Additionally, the turnaround times for the receipt of test results can be much shorter than earlier in the pandemic,” DPH wrote.
With testing, DPH said school officials should be prepared to prohibit attendance for students who tested positive or are quarantining because of an exposure. DPH also recommended schools be prepared for immediate contact tracing if students become exposed to the virus.
Even with safeguards in place, DPH acknowledged that some students and families may be wary to return to large, crowded events, so schools should also consider alternatives.
“Just as the relative isolation of the past year can have effects on mental health, returning to larger gatherings and bigger crowds may result in anxiety,” DPH said.
Alternatives DPH recommended included allowing for virtual participation, or creating small graduation events in which students can get diplomas and traditional graduation photos.
DPH said its recommendations were not an exhaustive list, but rather a starting point for conversations among school leaders, students and families.
“Engaging all stakeholders is the best way to support memorable end-ofyear experiences, while also reducing COVID-19 transmission risks associated with these activities,” DPH said.