Schools Won’t Close if County is Moved Back to Phase Two

TRI-CITIES, Wash. - Though the threat of many counties in the region being moved back to Phase 2 of re-opening looms large, any decision made would not affect schools in those counties.

Benton-Franklin Health Officer Dr. Amy Person says, "The determination on whether or not schools would need to close or if schools would need to alter their practices, would be based solely on whether or not there is evidence of outbreaks or sustained transmission in the schools."

Dr. Person adds, however, a demotion in the "Roadmap to Recovery" guidelines would affect sports and other activities associated with schools in a given county.

And while the new CDC guidance allowing for three-feet of social distancing in classrooms has allowed for more children in the classroom, it's also presented a new problem.

"Returning from shortened quarantine requires hat individuals be able to remain 6 feet away from others, in order to reduce the likelihood that they might pass COVID-19 to others if they themselves get infected," says Dr. Person

A rise in cases among younger people in the region has led to longer time away from school for students, which has not sat well with some parents and school boards.