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Video: CDC Director Talks Revised Social Distancing Guidelines For Schools, Spotlights New Studies Showing That, in Many Situations, 3 Feet Between Students Is Safe

(White House COVID-19 Response Team Briefing / Screenshot)

The federal government issued new guidance for schools on Friday, saying that if mask wearing is fully enforced on campuses, three feet of distance between students in classrooms is sufficient in most situations. (Read our complete breakdown of today’s announcement)

Details started emerging early Friday morning and CDC Director Rochelle Walensky appeared at the midday briefing of the White House COVID-19 Response Team. Here’s what she had to say on schools and distancing, as well as what scientists learned from three new studies from Utah, Missouri and Florida about the spread of COVID-19 in classrooms:

“In light of the expanded evidence on physical distancing, today CDC is pleased to update our recommendations for physical distancing between students in classrooms,” Walensky said during the livestream.

Per the new K-12 guidance on the CDC website: “In elementary schools, students should be at least 3 feet apart. In middle schools and high schools, students should be at least 3 feet apart in areas of low, moderate, or substantial community transmission. In areas of high community transmission, middle and high school students should be 6 feet apart if cohorting is not possible.”

Read our full coverage of today’s announcement.

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