Department of Elementary & Secondary Education and Department of Public Health
Frequently Asked Questions, Week of September 20, 2021 

1. What is DESE’s guidance on appropriate mask wearing? 
2. Are individuals considered close contacts if they were exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual while outdoors?
3. If individuals are exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual outside of school, can they participate in Test and Stay?  
4. What COVID-19 protocols should students at vocational/technical schools follow at their external internships and co-ops?
5. May individuals remove their masks when students are receiving speech and language services? 
6. Has DESE/DPH changed the definition of a close contact in the recent Protocols for Responding to COVID-19 Scenarios – SY 2021-22 document? 
7. Can symptomatic individuals participate in Test and Stay? 
8. When individuals participating in Test and Stay are not in school, are they required to quarantine? 
9. Can individuals participating in Test and Stay ride the bus?
10. What kinds of tests are acceptable for the different quarantine protocols?
11. What is the primary resource I should review to understand the protocols?