EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) promoted guidelines for students to return to school this fall, as numbers of COVID-19 cases continue to gradually decrease. 

“Our students and teachers have done an amazing job adapting to e-learning during this health crisis,” Belt said. “Now that they have opportunity to return this fall, parents and teachers have an important role of carefully transitioning our students back into a productive and safe environment.”

The Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Department of Public Health outlined guidelines for K-12 schools and higher education institutions to safely resume in-person learning this fall, while ensuring the health and safety of students and staff is prioritized. The groups worked with educators, superintendents, social workers, nurses and other stakeholders to create the 60-page guidance. 

The guidelines for Phase 4 will, among other things:

• Require use of appropriate personal protective equipment, including face coverings;
• Prohibit more than 50 individuals from gathering in one space;
• Require social distancing be observed, as much as possible;
• Require schools conduct symptom screenings and temperature checks or require that individuals self-certify that they are free of symptoms before entering school buildings; and
• Require an increase in school-wide cleaning and disinfection.

All public and nonpublic schools in Illinois serving K-12 students must follow these guidelines.