On July 16, the PA Department of Education and the PA Department of Health released their Public Health Guidance Regarding COVID-19 for Phased Reopening of Pre-K to 12 Schools. The report aims to assist schools in implementing and developing plans to safely reopen classrooms for in-person instruction for the 2020-21 school year. The new guidance limits student interaction and keeps students safely separated in order to deter the spread of the coronavirus.
A few major components of the guidance include:
- Masks must be worn by students and staff at school and on the bus.
- Schools should provide face covering breaks throughout the day and maintain a distance of at least 6 feet during these face covering breaks. Schools may allow students to remove face coverings when students are:
- Eating or drinking when spaced at least 6 feet apart;
- Seated at desks or assigned workspaces at least 6 feet apart;
- Engaged in any activity at least 6 feet apart (e.g., face covering breaks, recess, etc.); or
- When wearing a face covering creates an unsafe condition in which to operate equipment or execute a task.
- Load the bus by filling seats from back to front to limit students walking past students to find a seat.
- Students and staff are strongly encouraged to follow social distancing throughout the day, with 6 feet of separation between desks and other seating.
- If possible, hold classes in gyms, auditoriums, other large spaces or outdoors, where physical distancing can be maintained.
- Student seating should face the same direction.
- Limit student interactions by staggering class times, creating one-way walking patterns in halls, and, when feasible, keeping students in a classroom and rotating teachers instead.
- Create one-way traffic pattern in hallways.
- For breakfast and lunch, consider serving packaged meals in classrooms and avoid across-the-table seating. If meals are served in a cafeteria, sit students at least 6 feet apart.
- Limit the number of students on playgrounds at one time and encourage social distancing.
- Encourage the use of virtual gatherings, events and extracurricular activities.
Since the science and public health conditions surrounding COVID-19 are continually evolving, the guidance will be updated as necessary. The PA Department of Health will continue to monitor community transmission rates and, in close coordination with the PA Department of Education, issue guidance related to targeted school closure as part of a wider public health mitigation strategy.
