Public Health Madison and Dane Co. changed its opinion on in-person learning and now says it can be safe, according to a Wisconsin State Journal report. After closing schools in August to most students, health officials now say that students can return with the following prescribed safeguards:
- Phased reopening of schools with elementary students returning first, and offering an online option for students and staff considered at high risk for getting the virus;
- Mask, social distancing, and other requirements to cut down on virus spread;
- COVID-19 case tracking and contact tracing for those who test positive;
- Development of a plan for moving back to online instruction should the virus spread beyond a predetermined threshold; and
- Implementation of a school-based testing strategy, should widespread testing become available.
