The final guidance and mandates for schools in the State of New York was released Thursday, just before the start of the school year.
The biggest take away from the guidance is that masks are universal and teachers must submit to weekly COVID testing at the responsibility of the district.
Teachers who are vaccinated may opt out with proof of vaccination.
While educators are happy precautions are in place and they’re getting test kits from local health departments, they feel that the guidance was released too close to the start of the school year, leaving districts to scramble and prepare over Labor Day weekend.
“This new requirement arrives late in the back-to-school process. We look forward to working with the state department of health. Moving forward, providing school districts with advanced notice and increased flexibility will help us experience a more productive school year,” Bo Wright, president of the Monroe County Council of School Superintendents, said in a statement released.
The guidance was passed when the Public Health and Health Planning Council passed an emergency regulation, allowing Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker to issue a determination that would require weekly COVID-19 testing.
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