New York City Schools will remain closed until the end of courses for the new coronavirus, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced this Saturday at a press conference.
The decision was difficult and “painful”, remarked the official.
“It is right. It will clearly help us save lives“He added. According to the city’s school calendar, the school year ends on June 26.
New York is the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States. The state has more than 160 thousand cases, of which more than half are in the city.
As of April 10, New York City had 94,409 cases and 5,429 deaths.
Although there are signs that the outbreak is slowing down, the city will continue with a “widespread community transmission” until May and possibly more. Even if the spread slows, many elements of social distancing must continue to prevent a resurgence of the virus, the mayor stressed.
The plan to continue remote learning for students in the city will include: ensuring that all students have digital devices with internet access by the end of April; expand a helpline for parents and technical support; new online activities and programs; verify that those who were about to graduate do so; and form a plan to reopen schools in the city in September to “combat learning loss.”
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