Cuomo Unveils Formula For NY Schools To Open — And Stay Open

NEW YORK CITY — Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday revealed a formula to determine whether schools will reopen and when they'll have to close.

Schools will reopen if the region they're located in is in phase 4 of the state's reopening plan and that region's daily infection rate remains at 5 percent or lower over a 14-day average. Schools will close if the regional infection rate is above 9 percent on a 7-day average after Aug. 1.

Decisions on the formula will be released Aug. 1-7, Cuomo said.

The governor noted guidelines will be released Monday on social distancing and mask requirements for schools. Among the guidelines: Schools are "strongly" encouraged to encourage face-covering at all times, except for meals and classroom instruction. This includes when people are able to socially distance themselves. Schools will be able to require masks even during instruction, and they'll be required on buses. When it comes to before- and after-care and extracurricular activities, schools must develop a plan for them to resume. Any extracurriculars must follow state procedures. The state said meals will be served in a combination of classrooms and cafeterias if social distancing isn't possible in cafeterias alone.

At his coronavirus briefing, Cuomo also said health officials will issue an emergency order requiring visitors from states on New York's travel advisory list — which requires a 14-day quarantine — to fill out a form providing their local contact information upon entering the state. Those who don't fill out the form will receive a summons and a fine of up to $2,000.

Every airport will enforce the order, issued by the state Department of Health.

"None of this is pleasant, but we've gone through this before," Cuomo said.

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