The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lessened its requirements for schools Friday, from desks 6 feet apart to now recommending desks be 3 feet apart.
The revised recommendations represent a change in the 6-foot standard which has been recommended in many parts of the country following school partial or full reopenings. This cahnge allows schools to fit more students in classes, following the removal of many desks and staggered scheduling.
More relaxed recommendations give schools more flexibility and ability. Many schools have already disregarded the CDC guidelines in the past few months.
Recommendations for plastic shields and other barriers have been removed, and 6 feet distance only recommended for high spread areas.
This recommendation corresponds to the World Health Organization guidelines which have been laxer for the past months, suggesting 1 meter of distance, or almost 3 feet. The American Academy of Pediatrics says desks should be spaced 3 feet apart, ideally 6 feet.
The CDC said teachers and other adults should stay 6 feet from one another and from students, and that 6 feet of distance should still be kept in common areas, like school lobbies, as well as places where masks can’t be worn, such as when eating.