Governor Ralph Northam outlined plans today to have Virginia's K-12 schools, both public and private, reopen in the fall.
Schools will open in phases, much like Virginia's business reopenings. Most schools have been operating under Phase 1 which called for mostly remote learning with some exceptions for special education students.
Phase 2 would still include mostly remote learning, but would allow in-person instruction for grades K-3, special education, and English language learning students. School-based summer camps will be allowed, limited to 50 people.
In Phase 3, all students would attend school in person with social distancing and sanitizing requirements. Desks will be placed six feet apart and schools will implement staggered schedules for communal areas such as the cafeteria. Staff will have to wear masks and students will be encouraged to wear them. Students and staff will also undergo daily health screenings. Remote learning and teleworking options will be provided for high risk students and staff.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. James Lane, says his department will be sending out a book of guidelines to school divisions today. The schools will then devise their own plans to abide by the new guidelines, which allow some flexibility depending on a particular school system's needs.
The Governor's Chief of Staff, Clark Mercer, outlined the plans for the resumption of youth sports later this week. The guidelines prohibit intentional contact and shared equipment. For example, in baseball, players need to use their own helmets and bats. For high school football, Mercer said athletes can do training drills, but no tackling and for soccer, no throw-ins.
Indoor practice facilities can operate at 30% capacity or 50 people, whichever is less, while outdoor facilities can operate at 50% capacity or 50 people, whichever is less. Parents can attend games in an unlimited number, but should use social distancing guidelines.
More on this story from our media partner, ABC 13 - WSET.
More information on the school and youth sports guidelines will be available at the Governor of Virginia Website.