Wolf Administration Aligns School Guidance With CDC, Requiring 3 Feet Of Social Distancing
By: KDKA-TV News Staff
HARRISBURG (KDKA) - The Wolf administration is updating recommendations for K-12 schools to match CDC guidance for social distancing and COVID-19 cases in schools.
The new guidance requires 3 feet of social distancing instead of 6, unless a county has substantial community transmission. In that case, the Department of Health says middle and high school students should be 6 feet apart if "cohorting" isn't possible.
The Department of Health says there should still be 6 feet between adults when masks can't be worn and during activities like singing, band or sports as well in common areas.
COVID-19 Response Director Wendy Braund says when a school is rigorously following safety protocols, studies show COVID-19 spread between children is relatively low.
The changes go into effect on April 5.
"Our updated recommendations bring us a step closer to a full return to in-person teaching and learning across Pennsylvania," said Acting Secretary of Education Noe Ortega in a press release.
"While recommendations on physical distancing, closures, and quarantines may have changed, the importance to adhering to all health and safety guidelines has not – it is imperative that we remain committed to protecting our students, teachers, and staff."
The new guidance also talks about how to handle confirmed cases of COVID-19 in school buildings.
The Department of Health says the state is ahead of schedule and almost done giving school employees the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
More about the guidance can be found here.