On Nov. 18, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that New York City public schools would return to full-time remote instruction beginning on Thursday, Nov. 19, after the city reached the 3% positive threshold.

In response, UFT President Michael Mulgrew issued the following statement:

The city established the 3% infection rate threshold to make sure that schools did not become centers to spread the coronavirus. Since the 3% rate has been reached, education will continue but all students will be learning remotely.

Now it’s the job of all New Yorkers to maintain social distance, wear masks and take all other steps to substantially lower the infection rate so school buildings can re-open for in-person instruction.