Staff reports

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced March 25 that schools can reduce the COVID-19 social distancing requirements in K-12 classrooms from 6 feet to 3 feet.

At a news conference, Inslee said the new guidance was consistent with direction from federal health authorities. Inslee also said middle and high school students who aren’t in isolated “cohort” groups should still be placed at 6 feet apart in places where the number of people infected is still above 200 per 100,000 population.

Inslee had previously said all public schools in Washington will be required to offer students an in-person learning option by April with school districts having to meet an average of at least 30% weekly in-class instruction by April 19.

All kindergarten to sixth grade students must. be provided an opportunity for hybrid-remote and in-person learning by April 5, followed by all other K-12 students by April 19.

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This report contains information reported by the Associated Press