The borough assembly on Tuesday discussed — but took no action — on Wrangell’s COVID-19 testing and isolation policy as it affects unvaccinated students who travel out of town for sports and activities. The school district had requested a waiver of the policy.
The district currently allows unvaccinated students who travel for games or other activities to return to school and practice without isolating until their test results come back, so long as the students follow the school district’s weekly testing protocols and mitigation plan.
The school district on Oct. 15 wrote the borough, asking for a waiver from the borough’s testing requirements, which say unvaccinated travelers must isolate until two COVID-19 tests come back negative. The requirement “would prohibit our students from attending or participating in in-person school, events or practice during this isolation time,” the district wrote.
The district explained it already requires all students to be tested before and after traveling.
The schools will continue to require a minimum of weekly COVID-19 testing “for all students and coaches/chaperones participating in extracurricular activities. There may be allowances for fully vaccinated students and coaches/chaperones,” based on federal guidance, Schools Superintendent Burr wrote in his letter.
Borough officials advised against making an exception for the schools, though they also pointed out there is no penalty for non-compliance if individuals do not isolate while waiting for test results
The assembly directed that the issue be brought up again at its Nov. 9 meeting.
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