The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia is issuing guidelines to the state's colleges and universities for reopening their campuses this fall.
SCHEV director, Peter Blake, says the reopening guidance will make public health a priority in order to protect students, faculty and staff.
The schools will have to follow CDC and Virginia Dept. of Health guidelines for social distancing and sanitizing. Blake says each institution will have its own unique plan, which will include ways to monitor health conditions, isolating anyone testing positive for coronavirus, and making a plan for a possible shut down if necessary.
Schools may have to stagger classes and services, create hybrid classes that are part in-person and part online, and meal services may have to be modified.
Virginia's businesses moved into Phase 2 reopening last Friday. Governor Northam says Phase 2 will last at least two weeks.
The Governor continues to monitor health data for the state. He says hospitalizations are down slightly and that as testing increases, the percent of positive cases continues on a downward trend.
PPE supplies remain adequate in the state. Secretary of Public Safety, Brian Moran, says he's working with two companies in Virginia to start producing personal protective equipment here instead of having to rely on imports.
Northam expects to have some information next week for businesses about moving into Phase 3.
More from our media partner, ABC 13 - WSET.