Boston Public Schools are starting up on Monday with full remote learning amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Schools will later move to a hybrid model that will include some in-person learning.

Boston Schools Superintendent Brenda Cassellius said the hybrid model will allow students to learn in-person for two days a week and learn remotely three days a week, NBCBoston reported.

“Families with students who have not opted in to the hybrid model, and plan to learn remotely five days a week, will not lose their spot,” she said.

Parent Elizabeth Mayer said she was nervous for Monday, “but I’ve been reassured by the teachers here that they’re going to be as supportive as they can.”

The Boston Teachers Union is concerned about air quality in the city’s schools.

“The reason we’re willing to do remote learning is not because we want to, but because health and safety has to come first,” said Jessica Tang, the union’s president Jessica Tang.

Massachusetts reported nearly 570 new confirmed coronavirus cases and 26 more deaths on Saturday.

The state has had a total of more than 125,000 confirmed cases and 9,000 deaths since the pandemic began.

In the last month, Maine has issued 14 citations to businesses for not complying with guidelines to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, up from just two in previous months.

The increased enforcement comes after a wedding ceremony and reception in the Millinocket area in early August that is linked to outbreaks in at least two other locations in Maine, with more than 170 people contracting the virus and eight deaths since.

The Portland Press Herald reports that 14 businesses, mostly restaurants, were given “imminent health hazard” citations since August 20. Two of those establishments had been previously cited since the the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

The state temporarily suspended the food and beverage licenses of two business for repeatedly violating state protocols, according to state health inspection program records obtained by the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. The other cited businesses were in compliance by last week.

Most businesses, particularly restaurants and hotels, are complying with the state’s safety guidelines, according to Dana Connors, president and CEO of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce.

“Maine businesses have done an incredible job of addressing their responsibilities and recognizing the role they play for the state,” Connors said. “Those that don’t are the exception and not the rule. I think businesses have stepped up and taken this on with tremendous responsibility, and I find it hard to be convinced otherwise.”

High school sports have resumed in New Hampshire with social distancing, masks and other policies.

Football can start up this upcoming week, officials said.

At Pembroke Academy in Pembroke this past week, field hockey and soccer games took place. Players wore masks while warming up, kept distance from each other on the sidelines and each player had their own water bottle, WMUR-TV reported.

“We’ve got to be wearing the face masks, got to be social distancing,” athletic director Fred Vezina said. “Kids are warming up with the face masks. We can only put so many on the bus. All those things have been challenges.”

New Hampshire reported more than 60 new confirmed virus cases on Saturday, the biggest daily increase in more than three months. The state had no new deaths or hospitalizations. A dozen of the new cases each were in Merrimack, Rockingham and Strafford counties.

(Image Credit Pixabay)