New York City's school system will require all 1.1 million of its students to attend classes in person this fall after more than a year of pandemic-induced disruption, Mayor Bill de Blasio said, joining a nationwide back-to-school trend.
The city's plans to abandon virtual learning come as states and cities across the United States ease restrictions designed to slow new coronavirus infections. The trend reflects a sustained decline in Covid-19 cases, with a significant percentage of Americans now vaccinated, Reuters reports.
In the current New York school year, some students have opted for a hybrid weekly schedule, with a mix of in-person and remote learning.
Most parents have also opted to keep their children home for remote learning five days a week. Neither of those options will be offered in September, when the new school year begins, de Blasio said.
