How Each State Is Reopening Schools This Fall

Special Report

Published: August 20, 2020 8:40 am

Last Updated: September 2, 2020 1:07 pm

Schools across the country have begun to reopen, and the traditional school day has been overhauled. Desks spaced 6 feet apart, temperature checks at the door, and having lunch in small groups is the new reality for many.

State health departments have released different sets of guidelines for safely reopening schools, though each school or school district has the final say about the method of reopening.

24/7 Wall St. reviewed executive orders, directives, and guidelines issued by either governors or education and health departments to create a list of restrictions and safety recommendations for resuming in-person instruction in every state.

The guidelines are not a mandate but only offer advice on what schools should require from students, parents, and staff in order to prevent the transmission of the coronavirus.

Still, preventing transmission among students may be difficult to achieve, despite the many precautions schools would take. Since mid-July, there has been a 90% increase in the number of COVID-19 cases among children in the U.S., according to a recent analysis by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children’s Hospital Association. A school in Alabama and three schools in a county in Georgia were closed after reopening for in-person instruction as dozens of students tested positive for the coronavirus.

A school district in Arizona was forced to delay reopening because more than 100 teachers and other staff members called in sick. They refused to return to the classroom because they did not feel safe. Across the country, in Florida, the state’s largest teachers’ union is suing the governor and the education department to stop schools from physically reopening.

A school district in California has designed a method that has not been suggested by any state — remote learning from a specific location. About 20 schools will open so students can come back for online classes. A substitute teacher or a district staffer will be physically in the classroom for technical assistance, enforcing physical distancing, and making sure the children do their work.

Many of the requirements and suggestions for opening schools depend on whether communities have been able to contain the spread of the coronavirus locally. Most states’ guidelines were released at the beginning or in the middle of June, before a resurgence of COVID-19 infections was reported in certain parts of the South and West in June and July — here are the states where the virus is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Click here to see how each state is planning to reopen schools this fall.

Alabama
> Reopening plan: Hybrid model, 2 days a week in-person instruction, alternating AM and PM schedule
> Daily routine changes: Reinforce hand-washing, limit use of classroom materials
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended for nurses and school visitors
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: Reduce class sizes, limit entries and exits to school, use gyms as classrooms
> Extracurricular activities status: Allowed, with guidance
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 2,185 per 100,000 people — 7th highest (total: 106,784)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 5.9% — 19th smallest (from 99,926 to 105,815)
> Population: 4.9 million

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Alaska
> Reopening plan: Based on community spread, elementary school in-person, middle and high school distance learning
> Daily routine changes: Extended dismissal times, scheduled arrival times
> Mask or face covering rules: Encouraged whenever possible
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature and symptom screening for all
> Classroom space organization: Based on community spread, same groups every day, reduce mixing of students, space desks 6 feet apart
> Extracurricular activities status: Based on community spread
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 712 per 100,000 people — 9th lowest (total: 5,247)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 12.8% — 4th largest (from 4,589 to 5,177)
> Population: 737,000

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Arizona
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Daily routine changes: Assigned seating, designated arrival times or locations, lunch in classrooms
> Mask or face covering rules: Required if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: Reduce class sizes, reorganize classrooms to allow 6 feet between students, install physical barriers
> Extracurricular activities status: Allowed, with guidance
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 2,727 per 100,000 people — 3rd highest (total: 195,557)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 3.3% — 7th smallest (from 188,737 to 194,920)
> Population: 7.2 million

Arkansas
> Reopening plan: Must provide in-person instructions as option 5 days a week
> Daily routine changes: Lunch in classrooms, no gatherings in hallways and cafeterias, rotating teachers, not students
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for children 10+ on buses, drivers, required for adults and students 10+ in school buildings
> Health screening precautions: Have screening stations, screening signs
> Classroom space organization: Repurpose unused spaces, modify existing spaces to allow for maximum distancing of students and staff
> Extracurricular activities status: Allowed, with guidance
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 1,775 per 100,000 people — 14th highest (total: 53,487)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 6.1% — 20th smallest (from 50,411 to 53,487)
> Population: 3.0 million

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California
> Reopening plan: Based on community spread, alternate distance learning with in-person instruction
> Daily routine changes: Stagger cafeteria use, lunch in classrooms or outdoors, limit gatherings
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for adults and Grade 3 and up
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks, hand-washing required before entering school
> Classroom space organization: Reduce class sizes, keep students in same rooms, have portable hand-washing stations
> Extracurricular activities status: Allowed, social distancing required, should take place outside
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 1,615 per 100,000 people — 20th highest (total: 638,831)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 10.1% — 10th largest (from 574,411 to 632,667)
> Population: 39.6 million

Colorado
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, maximize in-person learning
> Daily routine changes: Frequent hand-washing, staggered arrival and dismissal times, assigned seating
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended for students 11+, required for staff and if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: At-home or on-site symptom screening, temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: Keep students in same groups every day if social distancing is difficult, one-way hallways, install physical barriers
> Extracurricular activities status: Vary by reopening phase
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 942 per 100,000 people — 12th lowest (total: 53,631)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 4.3% — 11th smallest (from 51,441 to 53,631)
> Population: 5.7 million

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Connecticut
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, prepare for full reopening and hybrid model
> Daily routine changes: Less free movement through school facilities, assigned seating, frequent hand-washing
> Mask or face covering rules: Masks required for all when inside school
> Health screening precautions: Maximize social distancing, students bring their own water
> Classroom space organization: Keep students in same groups every day Grades K-8, use gyms and auditoriums for classrooms
> Extracurricular activities status: Allow completely independent activities, such as yoga
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 1,435 per 100,000 people — 24th highest (total: 51,255)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 1.1% — 3rd smallest (from 50,684 to 51,255)
> Population: 3.6 million

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Delaware
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Daily routine changes: Direct flow of people in common areas, do activities that allow for social distancing, minimize mixing of classes
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for staff and grades 4-12, recommended for Pre-K – 3 grade
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks at home
> Classroom space organization: Individual desks, minimize table seating, use outdoor space for classrooms, desks facing the same direction
> Extracurricular activities status: Canceling recommended, off-site trips discontinued
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 1,721 per 100,000 people — 15th highest (total: 16,643)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 5.7% — 18th smallest (from 15,699 to 16,593)
> Population: 967,000

Florida
> Reopening plan: In-person instruction, unless barred by local directives
> Daily routine changes: Lunch in classrooms or outdoors, no sharing of supplies
> Mask or face covering rules: Up to each school
> Health screening precautions: Set up secondary clinic for kids showing symptoms
> Classroom space organization: Keep students in same groups every day, convert cafeterias, libraries, gyms, auditoriums, and outdoor areas into classrooms
> Extracurricular activities status: Pursue virtual activities
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 2,742 per 100,000 people — 2nd highest (total: 584,047)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 6.8% — 24th largest (from 542,792 to 579,932)
> Population: 21.3 million

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Georgia
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Daily routine changes: Walking zones for in-person drop-off, schedule arrival times, schedule many outdoor activities, frequent hand-washing
> Mask or face covering rules: Personal choice
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks for all
> Classroom space organization: Close every other row of seats, use separate partitions in open spaces, use markings on floors or walls
> Extracurricular activities status: Cancel sports in which students may be in close contact
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 2,319 per 100,000 people — 5th highest (total: 243,982)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 8.6% — 17th largest (from 222,588 to 241,677)
> Population: 10.5 million

Hawaii
> Reopening plan: Distance learning for at least first few weeks
> Daily routine changes: Same groups every day, organize more virtual activities, lunch in classroom, stagger arrival and dismissal protocols
> Mask or face covering rules: Required if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screenings
> Classroom space organization: Install physical barriers, maintain social distancing, desks at least 3 feet apart
> Extracurricular activities status: Canceling recommended
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 377 per 100,000 people — 3rd lowest (total: 5,349)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 38.8% — the largest (from 3,756 to 5,215)
> Population: 1.4 million

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Idaho
> Reopening plan: Hybrid model, based on community spread
> Daily routine changes: Limit physical interaction through group work, designate arrival points
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended for all when practical
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks for all
> Classroom space organization: Use large common areas for classrooms, remove unused desks, maximize social distancing
> Extracurricular activities status: Based on community spread
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 1,615 per 100,000 people — 21st highest (total: 28,326)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 10.7% — 8th largest (from 25,595 to 28,326)
> Population: 1.8 million

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Illinois
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, with majority going remote
> Daily routine changes: Schedule restroom breaks, stagger arrivals and dismissals, restrict sharing of any items, stagger indoor and outdoor play
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for all students age 5+
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screenings and temperature checks for all
> Classroom space organization: Desks at least 6 feet apart in all directions, keep windows open, mark path of travel inside the classroom
> Extracurricular activities status: Allowed, with guidance
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 1,663 per 100,000 people — 19th highest (total: 211,889)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 6.4% — 22nd smallest (from 196,948 to 209,594)
> Population: 12.7 million

Indiana
> Reopening plan: Most schools offer option of full-time in-person or distance learning
> Daily routine changes: Stay in single classroom, no mixing of classes or grade levels, discourage attendance awards, assign students to entrances
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended for school staff
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: Desks facing the same direction, consider broadcasting in-class instruction to multiple locations in the school
> Extracurricular activities status: Allowed, with guidance
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 1,230 per 100,000 people — 22nd lowest (total: 82,336)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 7.9% — 18th largest (from 75,862 to 81,847)
> Population: 6.7 million

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Iowa
> Reopening plan: Option for hybrid model or distance learning, at least 50% must be in-person instruction
> Daily routine changes: Up to each school
> Mask or face covering rules: Not recommended but allowed
> Health screening precautions: Up to each school
> Classroom space organization: Post signs on how to stop the spread of the virus, properly wash hands
> Extracurricular activities status: Up to each school
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 1,696 per 100,000 people — 16th highest (total: 53,538)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 7.6% — 19th largest (from 49,208 to 52,924)
> Population: 3.2 million

Kansas
> Reopening plan: Based on community spread
> Daily routine changes: Designate single entry and exit points, staggered arrival and dismissal times, change bell schedule to minimize foot traffic
> Mask or face covering rules: REquired for staff, visitors, and most students
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks for staff
> Classroom space organization: Install physical barriers, physical guides to direct traffic, seating areas at least 6 feet apart
> Extracurricular activities status: Pursue virtual activities
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 1,233 per 100,000 people — 23rd lowest (total: 35,890)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 10.8% — 7th largest (from 31,730 to 35,167)
> Population: 2.9 million

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Kentucky
> Reopening plan: Distance learning or a full return to in-person instruction
> Daily routine changes: Schedule arrival and dismissal times, direct traffic flow in hallways, assigned seating
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended or required, depending on local virus transmission level
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: One-way hallways, post signs showing proper social distancing
> Extracurricular activities status: Allowed, social distancing required
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 902 per 100,000 people — 10th lowest (total: 40,299)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 12.6% — 5th largest (from 35,793 to 40,299)
> Population: 4.5 million

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Louisiana
> Reopening plan: Reopen in phases, up to each school
> Daily routine changes: Hand-washing at least every two hours, remain separated even outdoors
> Mask or face covering rules: Required, students who can’t wear them will be in static groups
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: Keep students in same groups every day, 10 people, including adults, per class, separate groups with walls or partitions when indoors
> Extracurricular activities status: Vary by reopening phase
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 3,002 per 100,000 people — the highest (total: 139,903)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 4.5% — 13th smallest (from 133,125 to 139,125)
> Population: 4.7 million

Maine
> Reopening plan: Based on community spread
> Daily routine changes: Interdisciplinary courses, social distancing is required during lunch
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for adults, required for students age 5+
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening for all
> Classroom space organization: Keep students in small groups, increase spacing, mark one-way directions if possible
> Extracurricular activities status: Restricted
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 316 per 100,000 people — 2nd lowest (total: 4,234)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 4.0% — 9th smallest (from 4,050 to 4,213)
> Population: 1.3 million

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Maryland
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Daily routine changes: Restrict students from changing classrooms, stagger school bus schedules, one way routes in hallways
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks for staff
> Classroom space organization: Reduce class sizes, destks at least 6 feet apart, facing the same direction, install physical barriers
> Extracurricular activities status: Up to each school
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 1,682 per 100,000 people — 17th highest (total: 101,649)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 4.5% — 14th smallest (from 96,843 to 101,235)
> Population: 6.0 million

Massachusetts
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Daily routine changes: Limit traffic in hallways, spend time in same groups
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for grade 2 and up, encouraged for the rest
> Health screening precautions: Temperature checks are not recommended
> Classroom space organization: Same groups every day for elementary students, no maximum number for class size but students must be 6 feet apart, use large spaces for classrooms
> Extracurricular activities status: TBD
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 1,663 per 100,000 people — 18th highest (total: 114,786)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: -5.7% — the smallest (from 121,707 to 114,786)
> Population: 6.9 million

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Michigan
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, online classes must be an option
> Daily routine changes: Reinforce proper hand-washing techniques required, hand-washing every 2-3 hours, limit use of classroom materials
> Mask or face covering rules: Required
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: Desks at least 6 feet apart, facing same direction, reduce class sizes, post signs showing proper social distancing
> Extracurricular activities status: Not allowed
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 1,041 per 100,000 people — 15th lowest (total: 104,091)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 5.3% — 15th smallest (from 98,213 to 103,403)
> Population: 10.0 million

Minnesota
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Daily routine changes: Schedule hygiene routines, floor/seating markings in common areas, arrival and dismissal monitored
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for students, staff, and others in schools, offices, and transportation
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: Give students as much space as possible, use transparent dividers
> Extracurricular activities status: Allowed, with guidance
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 1,187 per 100,000 people — 20th lowest (total: 66,618)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 6.8% — 25th largest (from 61,839 to 66,061)
> Population: 5.6 million

Mississippi
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, start delayed in some schools
> Daily routine changes: Stagger cafeteria use
> Mask or face covering rules: Required if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: Social distancing is recommended
> Extracurricular activities status: Allowed, with guidance
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 2,496 per 100,000 people — 4th highest (total: 74,555)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 7.2% — 21st largest (from 68,293 to 73,207)
> Population: 3.0 million

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Missouri
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Daily routine changes: Assigned seating, lunch in classrooms
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening
> Classroom space organization: Desks facing the same direction, at least 6 feet apart if possible
> Extracurricular activities status: Allowed, with guidance
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 1,153 per 100,000 people — 17th lowest (total: 70,658)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 13.9% — 3rd largest (from 60,920 to 69,407)
> Population: 6.1 million

Montana
> Reopening plan: Hybrid model, half days
> Daily routine changes: Lunch in classrooms, staggered arrival times
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended for all students and staff
> Health screening precautions: Visitor temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: Separate desks as much as possible, break large classes in small groups, close gyms, playgrounds, and libraries
> Extracurricular activities status: Canceling recommended
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 561 per 100,000 people — 6th lowest (total: 5,956)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 14.5% — 2nd largest (from 5,104 to 5,846)
> Population: 1.1 million

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Nebraska
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, based on community spread, start postponed until Sept. 16, academic year cut to 170 days
> Daily routine changes: Frequent hand-washing, limit use of school materials, keep personal items separate
> Mask or face covering rules: Up to each school
> Health screening precautions: Visitors wash hands before entering the school, symptom self-screen
> Classroom space organization: Move high school choirs to larger spaces, or practice in smaller groups, post signs showing proper social distancing
> Extracurricular activities status: Only sports is allowed to continue
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 1,598 per 100,000 people — 22nd highest (total: 30,825)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 6.5% — 25th smallest (from 28,696 to 30,563)
> Population: 1.9 million

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Nevada
> Reopening plan: Aim for in-person instruction, plan for online learning
> Daily routine changes: Limit use of common areas like playgrounds, teachers rotate, not students, restroom rotation
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended for staff and students
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks recommended, post signs about proper hand-washing and other ways to stop the virus
> Classroom space organization: Desks at least 6 feet apart, post signs showing proper social distancing
> Extracurricular activities status: Allowed, no live audience
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 2,077 per 100,000 people — 10th highest (total: 63,028)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 8.9% — 14th largest (from 57,520 to 62,639)
> Population: 3.0 million

New Hampshire
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Daily routine changes: Stagger dismissal, stagger meal times, serve lunch in classroom, monitor hallways to direct movement, assigned seating
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screenings for staff, students
> Classroom space organization: Desks placed 3 to 6 feet apart, facing the same direction, use gym as classrooms
> Extracurricular activities status: Up to each school
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 517 per 100,000 people — 5th lowest (total: 7,017)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 2.3% — 5th smallest (from 6,861 to 7,017)
> Population: 1.4 million

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New Jersey
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, focus on hybrid model
> Daily routine changes: Staggering meal times, recess held in staggered shifts, gym classes in marked areas
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for school staff and visitors
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and history of exposure
> Classroom space organization: Install physical barriers, desks facing the same direction
> Extracurricular activities status: Avoid close-group activities
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 2,115 per 100,000 people — 9th highest (total: 188,427)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 1.4% — 4th smallest (from 185,475 to 188,098)
> Population: 8.9 million

New Mexico
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Daily routine changes: Longer meal periods, no large gatherings, limit mixing between groups,staggered class changed
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for students and staff
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: Limit in-person classes to 50% of classroom capacity, use outdoor seating, keep students in same groups
> Extracurricular activities status: Sports, some activities allowed, eliminate field trips
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 1,125 per 100,000 people — 16th lowest (total: 23,579)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 4.1% — 10th smallest (from 22,643 to 23,579)
> Population: 2.1 million

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New York
> Reopening plan: Hybrid model, 1-3 days a week in-person instruction
> Daily routine changes: Lunch in classroom, restrict use of hallways, frequent hand-washing, limit gatherings in small spaces
> Mask or face covering rules: Required if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks for all
> Classroom space organization: Use large common areas for classrooms, keep students in same groups, use visual aids for traffic flow
> Extracurricular activities status: Canceling recommended
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 2,186 per 100,000 people — 6th highest (total: 427,202)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 1.1% — 2nd smallest (from 422,003 to 426,571)
> Population: 19.5 million

North Carolina
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Daily routine changes: Frequent hand-washing, lunch in classrooms
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for teachers and students K-12
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: One-way hallways, keep students in same groups, install physical barriers
> Extracurricular activities status: Cancel activities that bring many people together
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 1,425 per 100,000 people — 25th highest (total: 147,932)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 6.4% — 24th smallest (from 137,895 to 146,779)
> Population: 10.4 million

North Dakota
> Reopening plan: Up to school district
> Daily routine changes: Students in same groups, group sizes should be no more than 15 people
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended, especially if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Testing for COVID-19 based on risk level
> Classroom space organization: Use large common areas such as gyms and playgrounds to hold classes
> Extracurricular activities status: Canceling recommended
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 1,155 per 100,000 people — 18th lowest (total: 8,782)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 11.4% — 6th largest (from 7,885 to 8,782)
> Population: 760,000

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Ohio
> Reopening plan: Hybrid model, 2-3 days a week in-person instruction
> Daily routine changes: Frequent hand-washing, practice social distancing, scheduling half-days
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for staff
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening
> Classroom space organization: Keep students in same groups, social distancing required
> Extracurricular activities status: Allowed, with guidance
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 949 per 100,000 people — 13th lowest (total: 110,881)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 6.9% — 23rd largest (from 102,826 to 109,923)
> Population: 11.7 million

Oklahoma
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Daily routine changes: Lunch in classrooms, stagger recess times, keep students in groups in playgrounds, scheduled rotation of students
> Mask or face covering rules: Encouraged for staff and students
> Health screening precautions: Daily temperature checks at home recommended
> Classroom space organization: Use larger common areas such as gyms as classrooms, desks 6 feet apart, facing the same direction, divide playgrounds in zones
> Extracurricular activities status: Pursue virtual activities
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 1,266 per 100,000 people — 24th lowest (total: 49,923)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 10.3% — 9th largest (from 44,728 to 49,326)
> Population: 3.9 million

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Oregon
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, based on community spread
> Daily routine changes: Lunch in classroom, assigned restrooms, reduce mixing of students, teacher rotate, not students
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for staff and students
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: A minimum of 35 square feet per person when determining room capacity, install physical barriers, keep students in same classroom all day
> Extracurricular activities status: Allow sports
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 565 per 100,000 people — 7th lowest (total: 23,676)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 8.7% — 15th largest (from 21,774 to 23,676)
> Population: 4.2 million

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Pennsylvania
> Reopening plan: Based on community spread
> Daily routine changes: Lunch in classrooms, restricted interactions between groups
> Mask or face covering rules: Required if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening
> Classroom space organization: Students must be at least 6 feet apart, use gyms as classrooms, desks facing the same direction
> Extracurricular activities status: Allow, social distancing and masks required
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 985 per 100,000 people — 14th lowest (total: 126,149)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 4.4% — 12th smallest (from 120,281 to 125,579)
> Population: 12.8 million

Rhode Island
> Reopening plan: Up to school district
> Daily routine changes: Lunch in classrooms, assign bathroom times
> Mask or face covering rules: Required if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: At-home or on-site symptom screening, temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: Reduce class sizes if necessary, use partitions and other dividers to create separation between students
> Extracurricular activities status: Eliminated field trips
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 1,967 per 100,000 people — 12th highest (total: 20,795)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 3.2% — 6th smallest (from 20,053 to 20,692)
> Population: 1.1 million

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South Carolina
> Reopening plan: Up to each school, only 22% start in-person full time
> Daily routine changes: Routinely clean frequently touched surfaces
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for students and staff who ride the state’s pupil transportation system
> Health screening precautions: Up to each school
> Classroom space organization: Space desks further apart, social distancing required
> Extracurricular activities status: Allow sports, social distancing and masks required
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 2,132 per 100,000 people — 8th highest (total: 108,411)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 5.4% — 17th smallest (from 102,130 to 107,672)
> Population: 5.1 million

South Dakota
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, plan for full time distance learning if students test positive
> Daily routine changes: Lunch in classrooms, schedule breaks for hand-washing
> Mask or face covering rules: Strongly recommended
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: Stagger students 6 feet apart, post signs for proper hygiene practices
> Extracurricular activities status: Limited
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 1,198 per 100,000 people — 21st lowest (total: 10,566)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 7.5% — 20th largest (from 9,713 to 10,443)
> Population: 882,000

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Tennessee
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Daily routine changes: Frequent hand-washing, lunch in classrooms
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for all staff, students in middle and high school
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: Students must be at least 6 feet apart
> Extracurricular activities status: Cancel activities that bring many people together
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 2,006 per 100,000 people — 11th highest (total: 135,778)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 8.7% — 16th largest (from 124,915 to 135,778)
> Population: 6.8 million

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Texas
> Reopening plan: In-person instruction in public schools, offer online option as transition period
> Daily routine changes: Shorter schools days if there is a need for fewer people in buildings
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for adults and old enough students
> Health screening precautions: Symptom self-screening for staff
> Classroom space organization: Rearrange to practice social distancing
> Extracurricular activities status: Allowed, with guidance
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 1,917 per 100,000 people — 13th highest (total: 550,232)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 9.9% — 11th largest (from 500,620 to 550,232)
> Population: 28.7 million

Utah
> Reopening plan: Up to each district
> Daily routine changes: Frequent hand-washing, physical distancing, reduce large gatherings, stagger lunch and recess times
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended
> Health screening precautions: Self-monitoring symptoms
> Classroom space organization: Maximize space between seating and desks, install physical barriers
> Extracurricular activities status: Allowed, with guidance
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 1,503 per 100,000 people — 23rd highest (total: 47,521)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 5.4% — 16th smallest (from 44,752 to 47,157)
> Population: 3.2 million

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Vermont
> Reopening plan: Staggered student schedules
> Daily routine changes: Assigned section of the school yard, schedule restroom breaks
> Mask or face covering rules: Recommended for all staff
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening at home
> Classroom space organization: Keep students in small groups by age in classrooms, but no more than 10 students
> Extracurricular activities status: Allowed, with guidance
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 245 per 100,000 people — the lowest (total: 1,533)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 3.9% — 8th smallest (from 1,472 to 1,530)
> Population: 626,000

Virginia
> Reopening plan: Reopen in phases
> Daily routine changes: Up to each school
> Mask or face covering rules: Required if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screenings
> Classroom space organization: Close common areas like cafeterias, maintain social distance, limit classes to 10 people
> Extracurricular activities status: Not allowed
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 1,280 per 100,000 people — 25th lowest (total: 109,019)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 6.4% — 23rd smallest (from 101,745 to 108,282)
> Population: 8.5 million

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Washington
> Reopening plan: Many districts starting the school year with a hybrid model
> Daily routine changes: Frequent hand-washing, social distancing
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for staff, recommended for students
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: Elementary students in same groups, place desks to maximize space between students, facing the same direction
> Extracurricular activities status: Cancel activities in which students may be in close contact
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 906 per 100,000 people — 11th lowest (total: 68,264)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 6.4% — 21st smallest (from 64,151 to 68,264)
> Population: 7.5 million

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West Virginia
> Reopening plan: Expected to open for in-person instruction
> Daily routine changes: Lunch in classroom, space meal serving lines and space seating, one-way hallways, designated exits and entries
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for staff and students grades 3 and above
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks
> Classroom space organization: Keep students in same room, desks at least 6 feet apart
> Extracurricular activities status: Pursue virtual activities
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 487 per 100,000 people — 4th lowest (total: 8,801)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 9.6% — 12th largest (from 7,875 to 8,632)
> Population: 1.8 million

Wisconsin
> Reopening plan: Up to each district, many will start in-person classes
> Daily routine changes: More lunch periods, practice physical distancing when possible, frequent hand-washing
> Mask or face covering rules: Required for teacher when close to other people, required for students in high-traffic periods
> Health screening precautions: Daily symptom screening and temperature checks recommended
> Classroom space organization: Keep children in grades 4K-8 in same groups and in same classroom
> Extracurricular activities status: Allowed, with guidance
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 1,161 per 100,000 people — 19th lowest (total: 67,493)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 7.1% — 22nd largest (from 61,785 to 66,196)
> Population: 5.8 million

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Wyoming
> Reopening plan: Reopen in phases, based on community spread
> Daily routine changes: Specific groups use specific school entrances, lunch in classrooms, snacks not allowed
> Mask or face covering rules: Required if social distancing is difficult
> Health screening precautions: Up to each district
> Classroom space organization: Install physical barriers, partition certain areas to reduce crowding
> Extracurricular activities status: Allowed, with guidance
> Cumulative COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 19: 582 per 100,000 people — 8th lowest (total: 3,360)
> Change in trailing 7-day avg. daily cases, Aug. 11 – Aug. 18: 9.3% — 13th largest (from 3,073 to 3,360)
> Population: 578,000

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