ALBANY, N.Y. -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced today that New York State 's requirement that students receive 180 days of instruction will be waived due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Cuomo made the remarks during a news conference this afternoon on the coronavirus and its impact. He said with the 180-day requirement waived, schools can make their own decisions if they don’t have any positive cases about whether to close or not.

School districts in New York state must be in session for all students, including students with disabilities, for not less than 180 days.

With some schools closing in New York state - and the possibility others may follow - schools will be no longer need to meet that 180-school-day requirement.

Cuomo also said closing schools statewide is a very difficult, complicated situation. He also said it’s being left up to local school districts, for the most part.

There a lot of minuses, he said, which include If the kids are home, what do the parents do, he said. There also is the issue of continuing kids’ education, providing them with meals and more.

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