New York City Suspends In-Person Classes at Public Schools Due to COVID-19 Spread

Confirmed Case Rate Exceeding 3% Leads to Immediate Decision

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] New York City decided to suspend in-person attendance at public schools starting from the 19th (local time) due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Residents of Brooklyn, New York City, are lining up to get tested for COVID-19.
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

According to the New York Times on the 18th, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that the in-person attendance suspension would be implemented as the COVID-19 positive rate exceeded 3% that day.

New York City has the largest school district in the United States. New York public schools had conducted face-to-face classes for the past eight weeks but have now entered a suspension of in-person attendance.

Mayor de Blasio had warned that if the average COVID-19 test positive rate exceeded 3% for seven consecutive days, public schools would suspend in-person attendance.

There are also complaints about this measure. Some argue that hastily closing schools first does not help quarantine efforts, especially when dining inside restaurants and using health clubs are still allowed.

The New York Times reported that non-essential workers are still using public transportation, and parents and health experts are opposing this measure.

According to the New York Times tally, the number of new COVID-19 cases reported that day was 1,940. Across New York State, 5,094 new confirmed cases were reported.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.