Gov. Roy Cooper says it is now time to get North Carolina students back into the classroom.

Cooper says research done right here in North Carolina shows that in-person learning does little to spread the coronavirus provided certain safety and social distancing measures are followed.

So, Gov. Cooper and other North Carolina education leaders are calling for a wider reopening of the state’s schools.

Gov. Cooper says in-person instruction is important, not just for academics, but also for social interactions and the well-being of children.

N.C. Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt says the health risks for in-person attendance are much lower than originally feared.

School districts throughout the state have been able to reopen schools for “Plan A” in-person learning to K-5 students.

However, some districts have remained in the hybrid in-person and remote learning “Plan B” option for K-5 due to local COVID-19 trends.