Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on March 9 that any school in the state where a student or staff member tests positive for the coronavirus will shut down for a minimum of 24 hours. The 24-hour period will be used to thoroughly clean the school facilities and investigate who came into direct contact with the sick person. The New York City Health Department will determine if and when the school can reopen.

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

The policy makes sense. It protects students and staff, and gives us an opportunity to help contain the spread of the virus. We thank the Governor for his leadership.