Tips for schools and childcare settings
General tips
Utilize the tools and resources at Creating Healthy Indoor Air Quality in Schools, EPA.
School buses and other transportation vehicles
- When occupied, keep windows open a few inches (at a minimum two front and two rear windows) to provide adequate ventilation (as long as it does not create a safety or health hazard).
- Opening windows is beneficial for daily bus commutes as well as during transportation of school groups to different events (sports, field trips, etc.).
- Do not fog/mist the bus with disinfectant, as this can lead to poor air quality.
- Leave windows open to air out the bus after use and clean when visibly dirty.
COVID-19 considerations
- Refer to Washington State Department of Health's K-12 Schools and Child Care Guidance for current requirements and guidance to mitigate COVID-19 transmission in schools and child care settings. It's important that you follow masking and ventilation guidelines for possible COVID-19 cases.
- When community transmission levels are high or outbreaks are occurring in a school, eat meals outdoors when feasible. Consider providing distance between each person in dining and snacking areas. Staggering mealtimes may help accommodate physical distancing.
- Note: strategies recommended for reducing COVID-19 will also reduce the spread of other airborne illnesses and thus student and staff absences.
- Washington State Department of Health COVID-19-College and University Toolkit.
Additional resources
- Operational Guidance for K-12 Schools and Early Care and Education Programs to Support Safe In-Person Learning.
- EPA’s Clean Air in Buildings Challenge: Clean Air in Buildings Challenge.
- Washington State Department of Health: Ventilation and Air Quality for Reducing Transmission of Airborne Illnesses.