Latest CDC Guidance Makes In-Person Learning a Priority

Following a school year in which some custodians cleaned buildings full of students, while others serviced mainly empty buildings while pupils learned remotely, the latest guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts a more consistent 2021-2022 school year.

The CDC guidance, issued on Friday, states in-person learning in schools is a priority this fall. However, all students and staff who are not fully vaccinated should wear masks inside educational facilities. Consistent and correct mask-wearing is especially important in crowded settings when physical distancing cannot be maintained.

The CDC also recommends schools maintain at least 3 feet of physical distancing between students in classrooms. If schools cannot fully reopen while maintaining this distance between attendees, they should layer multiple other prevention strategies, such as indoor masking, improved ventilation, thorough cleaning and disinfecting, and increased handwashing. School officials must require all students, teachers, and staff to stay home when sick, and set up policies for testing, contract tracing, and quarantining when they believe someone in the building has been exposed to COVID-19.

As many schools serve children under the age of 12 who are not currently eligible for vaccination, the CDC guidance emphasizes implementing layered prevention strategies to protect students, teachers, staff, and other members of their households.

Learn HVAC maintenance tips for improving ventilation in schools.