(COLDWATER) – Coldwater Schools say that close contacts will no longer be a criteria for quarantining.

In a post on the District's website, Coldwater Superintendent Terry Ann Whelan says this new policy went into effect at 12 AM October 1. She says Coldwater Schools will still be required to identify close contacts and provide the Health Department with that information, but they will not be requiring them to quarantine.

Whelan says the safety of the students and staff in the Coldwater School District is her number one priority, and the District will continue with most of the same mitigation strategies they have been using this year. That includes positive students will continue to be quarantined for the recommended ten days and be symptom free before returning. The School District will continue to recommend to their families that they get the vaccine for their students and encourage them to wear a mask.

Whelan says students will still be required to wear a face mask on buses, because that is a Federal Law.