ALBANY, N.Y. (WENY) – All New York State schools will reopen for full in-person learning for the 2021-2022 school year, according to the Governor. 

The announcement came as the state’s seven-day average positivity fell to 0.90%, the lowest since September 21. Locally, the Southern Tier’s infection rate is the lowest in the state at 0.64%.

"Our children lost so much as COVID struck our state. A year of socialization, a year of memories, and even more," Governor Cuomo said. "While teachers and school administrators did an incredible job pivoting to remote learning with virtually zero notice, there's no denying the discrimination students who did not have the right equipment faced. With the way our COVID numbers are currently trending, there is no reason why our students should not get back to in-person learning as usual and we look forward to welcoming them back. If there is a change in the trajectory of the virus, we will revisit the decision."