School Exclusion Periods

If your child has an infectious condition, you may need to keep them home from day care or school to stop it from spreading. Here’s a list of common childhood illnesses and their recommended exclusion periods.

Chickenpox

Until all blisters have dried (usually 5 days).

Conjunctivitis

Until discharge (pus) from the eyes has stopped.

COVID-19

If positive COVID-19 test, they should stay home until acute symptoms go.

Diarrhoea

1 day after the last loose bowel motion (if no cause is identified).

Gastroenteritis

1 day after the last loose bowel motion (if no cause is identified).

Hand, foot and mouth disease

Until all blisters have dried.

Head lice

No exclusion period (as long as effective treatment has started).

Impetigo

Until 48 hours after treatment or once sores have dried and healed.

Influenza (flu)

Until well.

Measles

At least 4 days after the first rash.

Mumps

9 days or until the swelling goes down.

RSV

Until acute symptoms go, and they feel well.

Rubella

At least 4 days after the first rash or until they have recovered fully.

Scabies

1 day after appropriate treatment has started.

Whooping cough

5 days after antibiotics started, or 21 days from the first cough.

No exclusion period

• Colds
• Threadworms