NEW YORK STATE (WSYR) — The New York State Education Department (NYSED) has released guidance for schools to reopen in a 21-page guide located on the state education department’s website.
The guidelines touch on the following topics:
- Promoting vaccination
- Consistent and correct use of masks
- Physical distancing
- Screening testing to quickly identify cases
- Improved ventilation
- Proper handwashing and respiratory etiquette
- Staying home when sick and getting tested
- Contact tracing in combination with isolation and quarantine
- Routine cleaning with disinfection.
NYSED’s guidelines follow closely with CDC guidance and offer similar suggestions as in 2020, with updated information regarding vaccines. The document reads in part:
The CDC states that “vaccination is the leading public health prevention strategy to end the COVID-19
New York State Department of Education Health and Safety Guide for 2021-2022 School Year
pandemic. Promoting vaccination can help schools safely return to in-person learning as well as extracurricular activities and sports.” Furthermore, many schools serve children under age 12 who are not eligible for vaccination at the time this guide was published. Therefore, reflecting CDC guidance, this document emphasizes implementing layered prevention strategies (i.e., using multiple prevention strategies together consistently) to protect students, teachers, staff, visitors, and other members of their households.
The full guide can be viewed below:
