School distancing guidelines have been cut from 6 to 3 feet between masked students.

The Centers for Disease Control says 3 feet is sufficiently safe in most classrooms.

Lexington County schools ae already doing it using plastic shields.

“We are waiting for the Department of Health and Environmental Control’s guidance,” said Kathryn McPhail of Lexington 1 in Gilbert, Lexington and Pelion.

“DHEC already allows us to use a minimum 3-foot distance with plexiglass.”

Dawn Kujawa of Lexington 2 in the Cayce-West Columbia area said, “We socially distance in classrooms to the greatest extent possible, with additional layers of protections including masks, desk guards, and increased cleaning measures.

“We have been back at 5 days face-to-face for all grade levels since early December.

We have not heard from the other 3 districts yet but those who have reopened classes are using all safety measures.

Many educators and policymakers viewed the CDC ’s previous recommendation of 6 feet of space as a major hurdle to a full return to inperson school.

Some feared more-rigid guidelines could delay a return to fuller in-person classes this fall.

This major change comes more than a month after the CDC released updated guidance, seeking to regain credibility and consistency in its messages to schools.