SFUSD implements strict health protocols and online learning options for vulnerable students

The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) held a meeting on July 4, 2025, to discuss updated health and safety protocols in response to COVID-19 as schools prepare for the upcoming academic year. The meeting emphasized the importance of vaccinations, mask-wearing, and self-screening to ensure the safety of students and staff.

Starting September 7, all SFUSD employees will be required to be fully vaccinated unless they have a documented medical or religious exemption. Those who are not vaccinated will need to undergo weekly COVID-19 testing. The guidelines also mandate that everyone must wear masks indoors at all district facilities, regardless of vaccination status, aligning with recent health orders from the Department of Public Health.

The meeting highlighted significant changes in protocols, including the elimination of physical distancing and cohorting requirements. Students and staff are now expected to self-screen at home and stay home if they exhibit any illness symptoms. Additionally, parents and caregivers are permitted to enter school buildings for drop-off and pick-up, and various school activities, including sports and performances, can resume with mask mandates in place.

Quarantine protocols have also been revised. If a student tests positive for COVID-19, close contacts who were wearing masks during exposure may continue attending school under specific conditions, while others will need to quarantine for 10 days, with the possibility of shortening it to 7 days with a negative test.

The SFUSD is expanding its COVID-19 testing program, moving from biweekly to weekly testing at 20 mobile sites throughout the city. This initiative aims to enhance safety measures as students return to in-person learning.

In addition to health protocols, the district is working on providing an online learning option for students unable to attend in-person classes due to extenuating circumstances. This program will cater to a limited number of students and is being developed under tight timelines to ensure readiness for the school year.

The meeting concluded with updates on facilities preparations, including the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) and ensuring adequate ventilation in multi-occupancy spaces. The district is committed to maintaining a safe learning environment as it transitions back to full in-person instruction.