NYC public schools to fully reopen in September: Mayor
New York, May 25
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said all public schools will fully reopen in September with in-person classes only.
“One million kids will be back in their classrooms in September, all in person, no remote,” Xinhua news agency quoted de Blasio as saying during a TV program on Monday.
“We can’t live in the grip of Covid for the rest of our lives. There’s four months between now and September. We’re going to keep showing the data, we’re going to keep showing people the health and safety measures, we’re going to invite people to come in,” the Mayor added.
De Blasio had previously signaled that a remote option might be available, but on Monday he said that rapid drops in Covid-19 levels as vaccinations increased changed his opinion.
“It’s May, the data has been unbelievably clear, vaccination has worked ahead of schedule,” he said.
“It’s a whole new day. It’s just a whole new reality and we’re ready.” Public schools in New York City were closed in March 2020 amid the outbreak of Covid-19 and partially reopened in October with the option of online learning.
In a statement issued on Monday, the city’s Department of Education said: “Our commitment to the health and safety of our staff, students, and families remains our top priority.
“As we work towards reopening, we will continue to monitor and make necessary changes based on the evolving health guidance from experts.” Daily new cases, hospitalisations and deaths in New York City have fallen sharply since the second wave of the pandemic which peaked in January this year. IANS
