Puerto Rico Delays School Start by Two Weeks on Omicron Surge

Facing a surge in Covid-19 cases, Puerto Rico is delaying the start of the commonwealth’s public schools by two weeks.

n a press conference Wednesday, Governor Pedro Pierluisi said public schools won’t fully open until Jan. 24, not Jan. 10 as planned. He said the delay was out of “an abundance of prudence.”

It will also give students ages five and older time to get their second shot by the end of January, a requirement for public-school students on the Caribbean island to attend class. The commonwealth’s move comes as other mainland districts like some in Georgia, Michigan and New Jersey have moved to remote instruction.

While the delay doesn’t apply to private schools or universities, Pierluisi asked those institutions to consider delaying their start dates as well.