Kentucky officials have released long-awaited guidance for schools as they prep for a possible return of students this fall.
As districts go about the complicated task of decided when and how to resume in-person classes, they will be asked to implement a long and now familiar list of new requirements -- including temperature checks, social distancing, face coverings, and regular cleaning and sanitizing.
One major issue facing schools will be space, as new six-foot distancing guidelines shrink class sizes. In order to provide some flexibility, interim education commissioner Kevin Brown says there will be exceptions.
"If you're seated closer than six feet, you've got to have a mask on during your instruction," he said Wednesday. "If you're in a classroom and you have that six feet distancing around your desk, your mask can come down while you're seated."
Face coverings will be optional in kindergarten classes, and medical waivers will be available for other students who need them.
At least two emperature checks will be administered -- one before students board buses and another before they enter schools. Those running temperatures above 100.4 will either be sent home or isolated until their parents or guardians arrive.
School districts are still in the process of determining whether they plan to reopen or stick with digital instruction or some combination this fall.
