Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - As most school districts prepare to open their doors to teachers, staff and students Tuesday and Wednesday this week, the Erie County Department of Health is releasing updated school COVID guidance.
Among the changes are updates to the masking and social distancing protocols with the addition of a daily health screening as well.
The new guidance on masking states students may remove their mask during meals as long as they sit 6 feet apart to the extent possible, but no less than three feet, and a seating chart is kept. Mask breaks are also permitted once per hour for 5 minutes while seated at desks and physically distanced.
Physical distancing of at least three feet is required and during music lessons, rehearsals and performances, six feet of social distancing is required and masks must be worn when not performing, playing or singing.
Daily health screenings are now required, with options for home health questionnaire or in-person screening and temperature checks.
Here is the complete updated guidance from ECDOH and the updates are summarized on page 10. The daily health screening form is on page 11.
