Governor Andrew Cuomo's office clarified a statement made at a Monday press conference on school districts testing students for COVID-19.

"I'll tell you what they're asking me; I'll tell you what they're going to ask every school district," said Cuomo on Monday. "How are you going to test? How many tests are you going to take? Are you sure you have them lined up? Are you sure those are enough tests? Is it a representative sample? How long will it take to turn around the tests?"

The governor's office sent out a clarification on Tuesday, saying districts must have a plan in place to test symptomatic or exposed students, whether that is through the school or the local health department.

The governor's office says districts must also be able to test additional individuals that may have been exposed through direct contact with a positive case.

Jason Conwall, a spokesman for Governor Cuomo, said on Tuesday:

"The Department of Health guidance serves as the mandatory baseline of health and safety protocols for school districts to follow and testing is part of a continuum of mitigation efforts that includes mandatory daily temperature checks and other additional screening, testing for symptomatic individuals or exposures and contact tracing in the event of a positive case.

“Districts must have a plan in place for testing related to symptomatic or exposed individuals, whether in school or through the local health department, that includes timely delivery of results and any ensuing testing of additional individuals. Additionally, any positive cases must be tracked through established contact tracing protocols and in coordination with the local health department. DOH guidance allows districts to implement additional testing protocols.”