The CDC Says Children in School can Reduce Social Distancing from Six to Three Feet

     To allow for more students to learn together inside classrooms, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today relaxed the physical distancing requirements from six feet to three.

   The same rules apply to elementary, middle, and high school students, unless they live in an area where COVID-19 is spreading at a high rate, in which case distances of six-feet are still required.

   No matter the rate of community spread, in settings where masks cannot be worn, such as lunchtime, all students must maintain distances of six feet of physical separation, the CDC said. In addition, activities that involve increased exhalation, such as choir, band, and sports, still require six feet of social distancing and that they take place outdoors, or in large, well-ventilated spaces.

   Masks, however, remain mandatory, and teachers and other adult school staff must maintain six feet of social distancing from others.

   The CDC’s new ruling comes as lawmakers and public school parents are strongly advocating to get their children back into their classrooms.

    For now, the CDC’s three feet social distancing guidance is limited to children in school.

(Mike Groll/Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo)