Tier Status:
Widespread (purple): Closed for in-person instruction
Substantial (red): Open for in-person instruction once the county has been this tier for at least two weeks
Moderate (orange): Open with modifications
Minimal (yellow): Open with modifications
This interim guidance for institutions of higher education provides guidelines to help institutions and their communities plan and prepare to resume in-person instruction. Review the guidance and prepare a plan to reduce the risk and support a safer environment for students, faculty, workers, and families.
Cohorts of youth and adults in controlled, supervised settings
A cohort is a stable group of no more than 14 youth and no more than two supervising adults in a supervised environment. The group stays together for all activities, including meals and recreation. And this group avoids contact with anyone not in their group.
Follow the guidance for cohorts of children and youth in controlled, supervised and indoor environments operated by local educational agencies, nonprofits, or other authorized providers. These environments include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Before and after school programs
- Organized and supervised environments, like “distance learning hubs”
- Public and private schools
- Recreation programs
- Youth groups
See the answers to frequently asked questions about cohort guidance.
Youth and adults in supervised environments must be in groups as small as possible. Youth and supervising adults in one group must not physically interact with:
- Youth and supervising adults in other groups
- Other facility staff
- Parents of youth in other groups
Practicing a cohort structure:
- Allows for targeted testing, quarantine, and isolation of a single group instead of an entire population of youth and supervising adults
- Decreases opportunities for exposure to or transmission of the virus
- Facilitates more efficient contact tracing in the event of a positive case