The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced it is updating school guidance to incorporate the latest science on safe school operation during COVID-19. Most notably, CDC has updated its guidelines to revise the physical distancing recommendations to reflect at least 3 feet between students in classrooms (with universal mask use) and provide clearer guidance when a greater distance (such as 6 feet) is recommended. CDC states that correct and consistent use of masks is critical to reducing risk of transmission in schools, particularly in schools that use less than 6 feet between students in classrooms.
CDC made this decision based on new studies it released today that indicate that limited in-school transmission occurs in schools that implement universal mask use with other mitigation strategies, even those with less than 6 feet between students. According to CDC’s announcement, the science from these and other studies indicates that using a distance of at least 3 feet between students in classrooms could be a feasible option for schools providing full in-person instruction, provided universal mask requirements are in place.
CDC’s Operational Strategy for K–12 Schools through Phased Mitigation is now updated online to reflect this revised guidance in physical distancing. In addition, the CDC made the following updates to its guidance:
- Clarified that ventilation is a component of strategies to clean and maintain healthy facilities.
- Removed recommendation for physical barriers.
- Clarified the role of community transmission levels in decision-making.
- Added guidance on interventions when clusters occur.