ALBANY, N.Y. (WKBW) — Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Monday the state's formula that will determine which school districts can reopen to students in September.
The formula will be implemented between August 1 and August 7, based on COVID-19 data in each region. Schools in regions in Phase Four of their reopening at that time will be able to reopen to students if the region's daily infection rate remains 5% or lower over a 14-day average.
After August 1, schools will close if their regional infection rate is greater than 9% over a seven-day average.
Developing: Schools can reopen if the infection rate is below 5%. They will close if it’s higher than 9% on a seven day average. @WKBW pic.twitter.com/k0Fem7lBuh
— Ali Touhey (@Ali2e) July 13, 2020
We all want schools to open but it has to be safe. In NY we will decide based on the data.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) July 13, 2020
Schools will reopen if a region is in Phase 4 & daily infection rate remains below 5% (14-day avg).
Schools close if regional infection rate is greater than 9% (7-day avg) after August 1.
Once reopening, schools must follow guidelines specific to their districts. The New York State Health Department has released its own guidelines, which will be used by districts to develop plans.
The health department's guidelines include masks and PPE whenever students or staff cannot maintain social distancing (six feet of separation). It also includes guidelines on cleaning, screening, tracing, transportation and food service.
You can read the guidelines here:
