NC Schools To Reopen, Offer Choice For Online Learning: Cooper

NORTH CAROLINA — North Carolina schools will reopen next month for in-person instruction with implemented safety protocols while also offering families the option for remote learning, Gov. Roy Cooper announced Tuesday afternoon.

Cooper also announced North Carolina will remain under the modified Phase 2 executive order, which was to expire July 17, will remain in place for another three weeks.

Cooper addressed the long awaited question about how schools will resume during a news conference July 14, calling the plan "a measured approach" that will reopen schools with safety protocols like fewer children in the classroom, social distancing, face coverings, and rigorous cleaning.

“The most important opening is that of our classroom doors. Our schools provide more than academics; they are vital to our children’s’ health, safety and emotional development,” Cooper said.

Highlights of the school reopening plan include:

• Face coverings will be required for every teacher, staff, and student in grades kindergarten through high school
• The state will provide at least five reusable face coverings for every student, teacher and staff member
• Limitation on the number of people allowed in school buildings to ensure social distancing of 6 feet
• Conducting symptom screenings, including temperature checks, daily before students enter school buildings
• Establishing a process and space for those who are ill
• Regular cleaning on high-touch surfaces
• Frequent hand washing requirements throughout the school day
• Discontinuing activities that bring together large groups
• Limit nonessential visitors
• Discontinuing the use of self-service food or beverage distribution

Schools are also encouraged to designate one-way hallways and entrances, keep students and teachers in small groups, eat meals in classrooms and install physical barriers like plexiglass at reception areas.

Under the plan, school districts can also choose to implement all-remote learning, Cooper said.

"The start of school is a month away for most of our children & we know a lot can happen with the virus during that time," Cooper said. "If trends spike and in-person school cannot be done safely with these safety protocols, then we will need to move to all remote learning like we did in March."

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Last month, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services issued interim guidance for K-12 public schools to help school districts prepare for three possible scenarios: resuming with minimum social distancing, resuming with moderate social distancing or resuming with remote learning only.

As of Tuesday afternoon, 1,552 state residents had died from COVID-19, an increase of 42 deaths since Monday, as the number of confirmed cases in the state swelled by 1,956 newly confirmed cases to 89,484, according to data provided by North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services. At least 1,109 patients were receiving medical care for the virus in hospitals, 69 more than reported Monday.

SEE ALSO:

• Readers Say Too Soon For NC Schools To Safely Reopen: Survey
• New COVID-19 Guidance Outlines How NC Schools Could Reopen