More testing before schools reopen
Mayor also says that COVID-19 positivity rates must below 3 percent
BY ALEJANDRA
O’CONNELL-DOMENECH
New York City public
schools will need more
COVID-19 testing in order to
reopen again and will likely
follow a phased-in approach,
Mayor Bill de Blasio said on
Monday, Nov. 23.
On Friday, Nov. 20, the
mayor said that city data projected
the state will place the
city in an “orange zone” as
early as the following week.
An “orange zone” is a state
designation that prompts the
closure of schools, shuttering
of non-essential businesses,
caps gatherings to 10 people,
bans indoor dining, and reduces
the allowed capacity
in houses of worship to 33%
or 25 people.
“Once that happens, we
will be in a position to take
additional measures to reopen
schools,” de Blasio told
reporters during a morning
press conference. “There’s a
clear protocol for that, it involves
a lot more testing.”
Two weeks ago, offi cials
temporarily closed all New
York City public schools after
the city’s COVID-19 positivity
rate based on a sevenday
rolling average reached
3%–a threshold number set
by the mayor and powerful
city teacher union, the United
Federation of Teachers, over
the summer.
BRONX TIMES REPORTER,14 NOV. 27-DEC. 3, 2020 BTR
Under state guidelines,
schools in orange zones can
reopen as early as fi ve days after
the zone designation has
been announced. Students
and staff must show a negative
COVID-19 test before being allowed
back onto campuses for
in-person classes and 25% of
all adults and children need to
be tested weekly.
“Testing will be something
that everyone will have
to participate in,” de Blasio
added before encouraging all
parents to submit testing consent
forms for their children
to schools. “If you really want
your child in school, you really
have to help us out.”
The city’s special needs
students in district 75 would
be the fi rst allowed to re-enter
schools for in-person learning
followed by 3-k and Pre-K students.
Elementary, middle and
high school students will then
return in waves.
On Monday, Nov. 23, the
state COVID-19 data showed
the city’s positivity rate below
3%– at 2.5%–stalling an
orange zone designation for
now. However, parts of the city
like upper Manhattan and
Staten Island will become yellow
zones reducing the number
of congregants allowed in
houses of worship to 50% capacity,
capping social gatherings
at 25 people and limiting
the number of indoor and outdoor
diners to four per table.
This story fi rst appeared
on amny.com.
P.S./M.S. 194 on Waterbury Avenue Photo via Inside Schools
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