‘It Will Be Safe’: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Assures Students As Schools Return In Fall

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott claims “it will be safe,” and is gearing up for students and staff to return to school this fall for the upcoming school year despite families’ health concerns.

Gov. Abbott told state lawmakers on Thursday morning, “It will be safe for Texas public school students, teachers, and staff to return to school campuses for in-person instruction this fall. But there will also be flexibility for families with health concerns so that their children can be educated remotely, if the parent so chooses.”

Upon schools reopening, districts will additionally have the right to decide if students and staff are required to wear masks or be tested for coronavirus symptoms, per Frank Ward, a spokesperson for the Texas Education Agency.

Gov. Abbott also said, “I will tell you that my goal is to see students back in classrooms in seats interacting personally with teachers as well as other students. This is a very important environmental setting for both the students, for the teachers and for the parents.”