NJ Teachers Develop Possible Back-To-School Coronavirus Rules

NEW JERSEY — New Jersey teachers have developed what may be considered a strict set of possible ground rules for getting kids back to school in the fall. The "draft" proposal became public as Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday announced an additional 231 coronavirus cases and 22 more deaths in the Garden State (you can watch the news conference, below).

During the news conference, Murphy said he's also lifting the 50 percent capacity limit on NJ Transit buses and trains. "We want to ensure that people are able to get to their jobs and that the system is operating as efficiently as possible," he said.

Dawn Hiltner, a spokeswoman for the New Jersey Education Association, confirmed the contents of a document that was circulating on Twitter on Monday, with teachers calling for requiring students to wear face coverings "door-to-door" and districts to conduct weekly testing of students.

New Jersey's teachers union also says it's just not plausible to open up on time in September amid the coronavirus crisis. Here's why. Read more: NJ Teachers Union: Not Safe To Open Schools On Time Amid COVID-19

Hiltner said the document was a "draft" proposal, but it reflects what teachers believe should happen. They fear, she said, that sending children back to school in September could endanger both children and teachers.

There were indications that Murphy is listening, and he later announced that New Jersey will provide a remote-learning option for schools amid the coronavirus outbreak. Read more: NJ To Offer Remote-Learning Option For Schools Amid Coronavirus

Hiltner said the teachers' plan makes sense, especially since "professional athletes are regularly tested." The NJEA believes teachers and students should be given the same consideration.

Either way, she said, "we're going to educate them anyway we possibly can."

Here is what the NJEA also would like to see:

• The district should provide testing for all students and staff during the week prior to the first day of attendance.
• Masks should be worn door-to-door.
• Students and staff must wear face coverings at their bus stops and prior to boarding the buses.
• Each district should provide weekly on-site testing of all students and staff at no cost.
• Social distancing of 6 feet must be maintained at all times.
• Hallways and passing areas should be marked to allow for one-way travel as needed.
• Plexiglass barriers should be installed where social distancing isn't possible.

Murphy said during the news conference he doesn't begrudge the educators "for wanting to feel, have the confidence they need to come back in and do their craft, their life passion, but also do it without putting their personal health at risk."

Murphy has issued a list of rules and guidelines for reopening schools this fall amid the coronavirus outbreak. But he's also said that he could force students back to virtual learning if cases spike up again. Read more: Gov. Murphy Issues NJ School Reopening Rules Amid Coronavirus

Murphy said he likes the plan that he and the health department have developed and "we have a strong bias in getting back to school."

But "we will do it only if it can be done responsibly," he said.

The update comes as the total number of cases rose to 175,522 and 13,613 confirmed deaths were reported. Read more: NJ Coronavirus, Reopen Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Murphy spoke after a weekend that saw large crowds at the beach — causing alarm from some who wondered if the crowds could cause an outbreak.

A New Jersey beach has now made itself famous — infamous? — because it was crowded, with no masks being worn. Even rock star Peter Frampton wasn't happy. Read more: Photo Of Long Branch Beach Crowds Draws Ire (Even Peter Frampton)

A team of researchers and epidemiologists says New Jersey is once again one of only three states on track to contain COVID-19. Here's why. Read more: Gov. Murphy: NJ Back 'On Track' To Contain Coronavirus

Watch Murphy here:

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