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California Department of Education
Official Letter
California Department of Education
Official Letter
February 14, 2020

Dear County and District Superintendents, Charter School Administrators, and Principals::

2019 Novel Coronavirus Guidance for Schools and School Districts

The California Department of Education understands there are concerns about novel coronavirus. At this time, the health risk to the general public in California from novel coronavirus remains low, but schools can take common sense precautions to prevent the spread of all infectious diseases. We want to educate people about the symptoms of coronavirus, but we also want to make sure that our schools are working to ensure that this health risk does not stigmatize or isolate certain populations of students based on discrimination. Please follow this link for detailed guidance from the California Department of Public Health about the coronavirus in general: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/nCOV2019.aspx.

Please see the attached document for more specific guidelines for our K–12 schools, districts, and county offices of education.

Sincerely,

Tony Thurmond
State Superintendent of Public Instruction

TT:kb

Attachment (PDF)

Last Reviewed: Thursday, July 02, 2026

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