NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — As summer draws to a close and students and teachers get ready to return to the classroom, the city's Department of Education on Tuesday announced its COVID guidelines will remain largely the same as last year — despite major changes to testing and health screenings.
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The department said it will no longer test students at random, incorporate PCR surveillance testing or require students to submit a daily health screening form once classes resume on Sept. 8.
Instead, four test kits will be offered to students and staff members each month.
Masks are "strongly recommended" to be worn when indoors, though they are only required for students and employees returning to school on days six through 10 after the onset of symptoms or the date of a positive COVID test.
The DOE said masks are also needed in nurse's offices, the school medical room, or school-based health center. An individual exhibiting COVID symptoms will also be required to mask up.
Vaccinations, including for teachers and contacted employees, remain required for all adults entering public school buildings. School visitors must show proof of at least one COVID dose to enter a school building.
Students are not required to be vaccinated to attend class, but will be required to show proof of vaccination to participate in extracurricular activities, including high-risk PSAL sports.
Schools will be cleaned routinely, while at least two air purifiers will be required in every classroom. Schools will only close if there is "widespread transmission" as determined by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
The United Federation of Teachers approved the measures, citing "changes" needed since COVID and their "responses also have to evolve."
"While the distribution of at-home tests has been reduced, the DOE has assured us that additional at-home tests will be available for any schools that need them," a spokesperson said Tuesday. "We also urge parents to make sure that they and all eligible children receive vaccines and boosters."
Click here to read the full DOE COVID guideline for the 2022-2023 school year.
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