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NC Gov. Announces Schools Reopening Plan; Extends Phase 2 ‘Safer-at-Home’ Order

@SpectacularMag

schoolsRALEIGH, NC – In a news conference Tuesday (July 14), Gov. Roy Cooper announced that North Carolina will reopen schools with both in-person and online education.

He also said North Carolina will remain in a Safer-at-Home Executive Order for three more weeks after the phase is set to expire July 17. That extends the closings of bars, health clubs, and movie theaters until August.

Previously, Cooper encouraged school districts to prepare three reopening plans: completely in-person education, a mix of in-person and online education, and completely online education. 

The plans were as follows:
Plan A means there will need to be minimal social distancing
Plan B means that there would need to be increased social distancing with schools at no more than 50 percent and buses at no more than 33 percent capacity
Plan C means remote instruction only.

schoolsOn Tuesday, he said that the state will move forward with Plan B. He also said school districts have the option to choose Plan C if it’s best for them.

Under Plan B, schools are required to follow key safety measures that include:
  • Require face coverings for all teachers and students K-12
  • Limit the total number of students, staff, and visitors within a school building to the extent necessary to ensure 6 feet distance can be maintained when students/staff will be stationary
  • Conduct symptom screening, including temperature checks
  • Establish a process and dedicated space for people who are ill to isolate and have transportation plans for ill students
  • Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces in the school and transportation vehicles regularly
  • Require frequent hand washing throughout the school day and provide hand sanitizer at entrances and in every classroom
  • Discontinue activities that bring together large groups
  • Limit nonessential visitors and activities involving external groups
  • Discontinue use of self-service food or beverage distribution
In addition, schools are strongly recommended to follow additional safety measures that include:
  • Designate hallways and entrance/exit doors as one-way
  • Keep students and teachers in small groups that stay together as much as possible
  • Have meals delivered to the classroom or have students bring food back to the classroom if social distancing is not possible in the cafeteria
  • Discontinue activities that bring together large groups
  • Place physical barriers such as plexiglass at reception desks and similar areas

“We know there will always be some risk with in-person learning and we are doing a lot to reduce that risk,” Cooper said. “But as pediatricians and other health experts tell us, there is much risk in not going back to in-person school.”

Many districts, including Wake County Public School System and Durham Public Schools, approved plans based on Plan B.  Under Wake County’s current plan, students will rotate through classrooms on a three-week schedule–one week in class, and two weeks learning remotely. No more than 23 students will be allowed on each bus run, with one student per seat. Social distancing will also be mandatory in classrooms.