Preparing Facilities for Students’ Return in the Wake of COVID-19

State and local officials who shuttered school buildings to stem the spread of COVID-19 in early 2020 are beginning to plan for the return of students and staff. They will need evidence-based strategies to know how best to create and maintain safe, healthy spaces.

To inform their plans, federal health officials have provided guidance on cleaning and disinfection of facilities, appropriate chemicals to use for disinfection, and protocols for countering ongoing virus threats. The current pause in the use of facilities also represents an opportunity to make them healthier overall…