Governor further explains elementary waiver process to allow reopening

Gov. Newsom explained that schools and districts in the state can apply for waivers to allow elementary schools to reopen for in-person instruction even if they are in one of the 34 counties currently on the state’s “monitoring list.” Referring to a slide in his news briefing presentation, he said that school districts must work with local public health officials to determine how to safely offer in-person instruction after initiating a waiver request “in consultation with labor, parents and community-based organizations.”

The state is allowing waivers because younger children are less likely to spread the virus and they would benefit from in-person instruction, Newsom explained.  He said more than 90% of the state’s population lives in the 34 counties currently on the monitoring list and that a few more counties may be added over the weekend.

Newsom also said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had “finally” approved so-called “pooled” testing, which allows several samples to be tested together, and is being done at UC Los Angeles, UC San Diego and Stanford University. “You’re going to hear a lot more about pooled testing,” he said, adding that California is becoming more creative and innovative with its testing strategies, which he expects to discuss in more detail next week.