NEW YORK (WBEN) — Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday vowed that schools will reopen on time after the New Year, with a much bigger emphasis on testing to help keep kids in their classrooms.
While infection rates in schools have been stable, there are concerns that omicron may spread to the younger generations as they see friends and family during the holidays.
“There is a vulnerability that we saw coming,” Hochul said.
With the virus spreading, some have been worried that schools will shut down again for in-person learning, which has many concerned about the psychological toll that could have on students.
“We all saw the negative impact on the growth of children in terms of their educational development, but also emotionally what this did to everybody from kindergartners on up to high school kids, it had a devastating effect, and we cannot take any steps backward,” the governor said.
To ensure schools can remain open, Hochul said New York State will adopt the “test-to-stay” method, which will allow students who have been exposed to the virus to remain in their classrooms, so long as they test negative.
“We want their kids to go back to school, that there'll be tests waiting for them, that they can take them home in their backpack. If someone in school tests positive, they don't all have to stay at home if they're asymptomatic, not been exposed directly,” Hochul said.
Schools are slated to reopen in New York City on Jan. 3.
Gov. Hochul said the “test-to-stay” method has already been approved by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“The CDC just confirmed that test-to-stay works and now we are highly recommending that counties and school districts implement this,” the governor said.
“We'll keep a safe environment,” she added. “We have the testing available. That's why we ordered such an extraordinary number. We'll have them available to get out to schools and work with them closely so they can stay open.”
The governor said the school mask mandate will also stay in place for the time being.
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