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Back in March, Virginia was one of the first states to shut down public places that included schools due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Now, Gov. Ralph Northam has announced plans to reopen schools — mostly for remote classes — in the same fashion under which many businesses will be operating under the state’s Phase 2 reopening guidelines.
Northam said all public schools will be allowed to reopen for the 2020-21 school term on a three-phase approach as long as the state continues to slow the spread of the virus.
“School will be open for all students next year, but instruction will look different,” Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane said in a statement. “The phased, hybrid approach allows pre-K-12 students to have valuable class time and face-to-face interaction with their peers, while prioritizing health and safety by ensuring physical distancing measures are maintained.”
On Friday, the state of Virginia will be opening under Phase 2, which means school districts will also be poised for reopening under the same phase.
Phase 3 is expected to begin before fall, meaning all students could return in person to classes, but with restrictions that include keeping desks six feet apart and encouraging the use of face masks.
In the event a second round of the coronavirus hits, students would go back to remote learning.