School desks could be 3 feet apart, according to new study

A new study published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases suggests that students who are masked can be seated 3 feet apart instead of 6 feet apart, with no additional risk.

The research focused on schools in Massachusetts which set desks 3 feet apart. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are now reconsidering their social distancing guidelines for schools, based on the study. Other states are now looking into changing their guidelines as well.

The distance at which desks must be set apart to avoid spreading Covid-19 is one of the reasons why many schools are opting for a hybrid model when they reopen classrooms, in which students take turns coming to class on different days or times of day. Another reason for the hybrid model is that keeping class sizes small also reduces the risk of spreading the virus.