New COVID-19 Guidance Outlines How NC Schools Could Reopen

NORTH CAROLINA — Nearly three months after North Carolina shut down classrooms in public schools due to the coronavirus pandemic, state public health officials have unveiled new guidance for schools, outlining possible scenarios for how classed could resume in the upcoming academic school year.

The new guidance was released Monday as the state saw its highest number of hospitalizations, and just two days after the state reported its highest day-over-day increase in COVID-19 cases.

"We really want to open school but these numbers are trending in the wrong direction," Gov. Roy Cooper said during a news conference.

"We are seeing more viral spread and these numbers are concerning," he said.

North Carolina reported 938 new laboratory-confirmed tests Monday, and 739 people hospitalized for coronavirus-related illness. The state has confirmed more than 36,000 cases of COVID-19, which has claimed the lives of 1,006 state residents.

"Our percent of tests that are positive is now among the highest in the nation," North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen said. "These trends moving in the wrong direction is a signal that we need to take very seriously."

Under the new interim guidance released Monday by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, K-12 public schools are preparing for three possible scenarios: resuming with minimum social distancing, resuming with moderate social distancing or resuming with remote learning only.

NCDHHS, the State Board of Education and the Department of Public Instruction will announce by July 1 which scenario should be implemented for schools to most safely reopen in the fall.

Under the guidance, public schools will be required to promote social distancing, such as by placing marks on flooring of reception areas, restrooms and locker rooms; discontinue self-serve food items in school cafeterias and limit nonessential visitors.

Other requirements include:

• Conducting health screenings and temperature screenings of anyone entering the school building
• Reinforcing handwashing and use of hand sanitizer
• frequent cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces
• Limiting the sharing of personal items and supplies, such as pens and pencils
• Keeping student's items in individual cubbies

The guidance also includes a list of numerous recommendations for schools, teachers and students, such as:

• Wearing cloth masks
• separating student desks and seating by 6 feet
• designating hallways as one-way
• discontinuing large group activities, such as field trips or assemblies
• Avoid the use of soft items that cannot easily be cleaned or disinfected, such as stuffed animals or clay
• Provide cups to minimize the use of water fountains

The full StrongSchoolsNC: Public Health Toolkit guidance may be found here.

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