A group of parents rallied in Massapequa Park Sunday over a mandate set by Gov. Andrew Cuomo where schools in yellow zones must test 20% of their students for COVID-19 in order to stay open for in-person learning.

The state has mandated three Massapequa Park elementary schools as yellow zones. Members of the PTA say they started a letter writing campaign to state and local officials to let them know they oppose the mandate to have their children tested for COVID-19 inside the schools.

Parents of special needs students say they have difficulty with getting tested due to sensory issues, and other parents say their children have anxiety about getting tested in school.

A study from the American Academy of Pediatrics shows that coronavirus is not being spread in schools but within the community.

Pediatricians say new data is showing cases of COVID-19 increasing in children, and that's why testing needs to take place to limit the spread.

Massapequa Public Schools says it's complying with the governor's mandate, but also agrees with the PTA that remote learning is detrimental to students.

Other yellow zone school districts, like Great Neck and Riverhead, are also complying with the mandate.