Department of Education issues executive order stating Florida schools must reopen in August

All schools must open their brick-and-mortar buildings when classes resume this August, the Florida Department of Education announced Monday.

In an emergency order, Florida Department of Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran said schools must be open at least five days per week for all students, “subject to advice and orders” given by the Department of Health and local health departments.

Read the full order below:

School districts must submit to the department ahead of their reopening, the order states.

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Though the schools will reopen their physical locations, online education will be available for students, the order states.

In addition, school districts and charter school governing boards “with an approved reopening plan will receive reporting flexibility that is designed to provide financial continuity for the 2020 fall semester,” the order states.

Read: Average age of new Florida COVID-19 cases only 21 as state’s infection rate continues to climb, governor says

Florida has seen an increase in COVID-19 cases this summer. The average age for someone infected is now 21.

The Department of Health released the order a few hours after President Donald Trump tweeted that schools must reopen in the fall.

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