STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- As the coronavirus (COVID-19) health crisis continues, the state Department of Education, in accordance with the governor’s executive order, issued guidelines on Tuesday that school districts across the state cancel those spring breaks scheduled for the beginning of April -- stating that virtual learning must continue during that time.

“Districts must continue to provide remote instruction for students, meals for students, and child care for essential workers every weekday between April 1, 2020, and April 14, 2020, even if the district is scheduled to be on spring break during that time,” reads the guidance.

Spring break for New York City public schools is scheduled for April 9-17. Under the executive order, schools must continue to provide remote education, meals for students, and child care for essential workers at Regional Enrichment Centers until April 14. It is unclear if spring break will proceed from April 15-17 in the city.

“After the Governor’s March 27, 2020 Executive Order extending school closures across the State until April 15, the State Education Department communicated that districts continue to provide remote instruction between April 1 and April 14, even if the district is scheduled to be on spring break,” said Miranda Barbot, spokeswoman for the city Department of Education (DOE). “We are reviewing how this affects New York City.”

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The updated guidance was released after Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced Sunday that school closures in the state were extended from April 1 to April 15. Continued closures of schools will be re-evaluated before April 15. According to the governor’s executive order, school districts must continue plans for alternative instructional options, distribution, and availability of meals and childcare, with an emphasis on serving children of essential workers.

New York City public schools are closed until at least April 20 -- when students are expected to return to school after spring break. However, Mayor Bill de Blasio has repeatedly said it’s possible that schools will remain closed for the remainder of the school year.

Remote learning for students began last week on March 23, the same day that Regional Enrichment Centers (RECs) opened to provide child care for first responders, health care workers and transit workers. The list of essential workers who qualify for childcare at RECs was expanded to include grocery and pharmacy workers, as well as employees for other city agencies.

If you are considered an essential worker under the city’s qualifications for an REC and you have no other child care option, you can complete this survey form to begin the enrollment process for a REC. After completing the survey, you will receive confirmation of your enrollment status in up to 48 hours, along with next steps.

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