North Carolina elementary schools can resume full in-person learning next month, Gov. Roy Cooper announced Thursday.
Under the state's current plan, schools were allowed to open in smaller in-person classrooms to allow social distancing or offer remote learning. Cooper's announcement resumes full attendance in K-5 public and charter schools Oct. 5.
"We are able to open this option because most North Carolinians have doubled down on our safety and prevention measures and stabilized our numbers," Cooper said. "The science of lower viral spread among younger children also backs up this decision."
The announcement comes a day after a group of Republicans and parents rallied for Cooper to allow students to return to brick-and-mortar schools if they choose. A majority of schools started the fall semester remotely in mid-August.
"Held a press conference to open schools, next day schools start reopening," said Lt. Dan Forest, Cooper's Republican opponent in the November election. "Maybe tomorrow we should hold a press conference on opening movie theaters, allowing family to watch their sons play football, treating bars like breweries."
Under the state's current plan, schools were allowed to open in smaller in-person classrooms to allow social distancing or offer remote learning. Cooper's announcement resumes full attendance in K-5 public and charter schools Oct. 5.
"We are able to open this option because most North Carolinians have doubled down on our safety and prevention measures and stabilized our numbers," Cooper said. "The science of lower viral spread among younger children also backs up this decision."
The announcement comes a day after a group of Republicans and parents rallied for Cooper to allow students to return to brick-and-mortar schools if they choose. A majority of schools started the fall semester remotely in mid-August.
"Held a press conference to open schools, next day schools start reopening," said Lt. Dan Forest, Cooper's Republican opponent in the November election. "Maybe tomorrow we should hold a press conference on opening movie theaters, allowing family to watch their sons play football, treating bars like breweries."
