The vast majority of schools in Mexico have been closed since March of 2020, when the pandemic’s first wave hit the country. But after months of discussion, leaders now say classrooms will reopen despite rising COVID-19 cases.
Following national guidance, officials in neighboring Sonora announced this week that education is being classified as an essential activity. That means schools will be able to stay open even at the highest levels of coronavirus spread when the new school year starts on August 30.
In a press release, leaders said the reopening would be gradual and voluntary, and that strict safety protocols would be enforced.
Some families are cheering the decision, which they hope will provide a education for their children.
But others are asking for more details on how students will be kept safe, since vaccines aren’t yet available to people under 18 in Mexico. Some have also offered to help clean long-closed classrooms they worry aren’t ready to reopen.
