A national organization of pediatricians issued guidelines Tuesday for America’s schools offering advice on how schools might reopen as the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic continues.

The American Academy of Pediatrics’ guidelines recommends schools work with local and state health officials to determine when its safe to reopen.

The report suggested schools follow CDC advice on cleaning and sanitizing school building, but also suggested phased reopening, staggering schedules to limit the number of students in a school at the same time among other advice.

“Until the broad availability of a vaccine and/or treatment for COVID-19 exists, there is a risk for future waves of disease impacting communities across the country; it is important that schools plan for the possibility of additional periods of school closures and prepare strategically for distance learning or other educational options,” the group’s report stated.

The guidance suggested social distancing should still be in place.

“Consider spacing/social distancing, staggered scheduling, transportation/bussing, eating areas, and waiting areas (e.g. pickup),” the report stated.

That could mean some students attend classes in the mornings while other student attend classes in the afternoons. Lunches could be served in their classrooms.

Students and teachers could be forced to wear masks to prevent the spread of the virus.

Athletics may also be impacted, the pediatrician group suggested.

“It is likely that sporting events, practices and conditioning sessions will be limited in many locations,” the group’s advice states.

For more on the guidelines:

https://www.aappublications.org/news/2020/05/05/covid19schoolopening050520
https://services.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/covid-19-planning-considerations-return-to-in-person-education-in-schools/