Gov. Hochul announces new COVID-19 guidance for schools

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York State is easing its COVID-19 rules for schools as kids prepare to return to the classroom.

Gov. Kathy Hochul made the announcement at a Monday morning conference. She said New York will end the required random testing of COVID-19 for students, which was common last school year. Generally, students will only need to take a test if they have symptoms or if they came in close contact with someone who tested positive. Schools may still choose to test students who are part of close contact activities, like a sports team or choir.

NEW: @GovKathyHochul says NY is aligning itself with the @CDCgov #COVID19 guidance for K-12 schools. No more test to stay. If exposed, kids continue to come to school (mask recommended for 10 days). If they develop symptoms, 5 days out, 5 days with a mask. @news10nbc

— Jennifer Lewke (@WHEC_JLewke) August 22, 2022

Another rule that’s ending is mandated quarantine for students who came in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Instead, people in close contact will have to wear a mask for ten days and take a test if they develop symptoms.

If a student tests positive for COVID19, they must isolate for five days and can return to the classroom if their symptoms are gone. Students must wear a mask for five days after returning.

Students will each get at least one at-home testing kit at the start of the school year and the state has 14.5 million kits available.

NYS will provide one #COVID19 test kit per student at the start of the school year. If schools want more, Governor says they just have to ask, there is ample supply. @news10nbc

— Jennifer Lewke (@WHEC_JLewke) August 22, 2022

The changes are in line with updated guidance from the CDC for K through 12 schools. Hochul said the policies are changing to reflect what we know about the virus and the virus’s current risk to communities.

“We’ve been through that experiment, no longer are we going to be sending kids home, keeping them away from that essential experience of being together in a classroom. Because we are now still dealing with the fallout of those decisions made when we had less information,” Hochul said.

A letter will be sent to schools on Monday about these changes.

Hochul said that one of the best ways to protect students from COVID-19 is getting them vaccinated. The state launched the #VaxtoSchool campaign in the Finger Lakes region to increase vaccination rates through social media videos directed at school-aged children and clinics.

Here are the locations of upcoming vaccine clinics in the Finger Lakes area:

Back to School Resources Fair and Carnival
Flower City School No. 54
36 Otis Street
Rochester, NY 14606

Open: Aug. 27, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Vaccine Type: Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna
Event Partner: Flower City School No. 54 and Cameron Community Ministries
Ages: 5+

Ovid Federated Church
7137 North Main Street
Ovid, NY 14521

Open: Sept. 15, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Vaccine Type: Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna
Ages: 6 months+

Ovid Federated Church
7137 North Main Street
Ovid, NY 14521

Open: Sept. 16, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Vaccine Type: Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna
Ages: 6 months+