"All DCPS students and staff will be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test," the Mayor announced in a Twitter thread.
She went on to explain how parents can obtain the necessary antigen tests, the results of which they must upload to a government website that logs their names and addresses.
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Schools may also be looking to transition to virtual learning throughout the semester, especially in the coming weeks, according to Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee, Chancellor of DC Public Schools.
The policy comes after the D.C. City Council voted December 21 to pass a bill mandating the COVID-19 vaccine for students in the district.
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“We’re expecting all of them to take a test and report a test on Tuesday,” Bowser said at a news conference.
Students whose families have not provided COVID test results will not be allowed to enter schools.
“We may need to turn some students away, and we’re prepared to do that,” Ferebee said.
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The announcement on the school district of nearly 50,000 students comes as the D.C. area is watched nationally as a hotspot for COVID infections.
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Bowser has been facing scrutiny after announcing in a tweet last week that proof of vaccine will be required at restaurants, bars, nightclubs, indoor entertainment facilities, gyms, and indoor meeting establishments, effective January 15.
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Bowser's order requires people 12 and above to have at least one dose of the vaccine to enter those establishments, which will be upped to two doses by February 15. Her order came after similar policies were announced in New York City, Chicago, and Boston.
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Vaccination data suggest that Bowser's mandate would disproportionately impact Black residents of the city. According to the city’s most up to date vaccination data, the vaccination rate for Black residents in D.C. is 46.4%, with only 39.4% of vaccinated Black residents being fully vaccinated.
Also newly announced, D.C. residents are recommended to isolate for 5 days after testing positive for COVID-19 regardless of vaccination status.
After the fifth day, the district’s guidance recommends wearing a mask but no longer isolating, according to Patrick Ashley with DC Health Regulation and Licensing Administration.
This is only recommended as long as there is no fever; no symptoms or symptoms are improving, and the individual wears a mask for the next five days.
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