Summer school in New York will be conducted remotely, Gov Andrew Cuomo said Thursday, citing the risks of returning children to the classroom, AP reports.

The governor said it's too early to make a decision about the fall semester. School buildings in New York have been closed since March.

"Schools obviously pose risks. They're places of gathering. They're on buses. They're in classrooms," Cuomo said at his daily briefing. “How do you reduce density in a classroom? How do you reduce density in a cafeteria, on a school bus, et cetera? How do you get children to wear masks?"

Cuomo also mentioned increasing awareness and concern about a syndrome affecting children that is thought to be linked to Covid-19. Paediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome affects blood vessels and organs and has symptoms including prolonged fever, abdominal pain and vomiting.