LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio (SCPR), a member-supported public media network. Hear our news on-air at our partner site:
Los Angeles County health officials announced today that they will not consider requests for waivers to reopen elementary schools until the coronavirus case rate falls.
That announcement came a day after state education officials issued requirements for applying for the waivers under a plan rolled out more than two weeks ago by Governor Gavin Newsom. Counties on the state's COVID-19 watchlist are required to do distance learning unless the county is no longer on the watchlist for at least two weeks, or they obtain a reopening waiver for campuses.
But with coronavirus cases still high, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health officials announced that they will not consider any waiver requests right now.
"This decision will be reconsidered once the case rate falls to the levels recommended by the State."
Case rates in San Bernardino and Riverside counties are also above the state guidelines. But health officials in Orange County said the current case rate is 149.5 per 100,000 residents. The waiver application process remains open there and officials have posted an application form.
According to the Orange County Health Care Agency, most of the more than 50 schools who have reached out with early interest in the waivers were private schools. We spoke with the head of one of those schools recently.
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our nonprofit public service journalism: Donate now.