Filenews 28 February 2021
The findings resulting from the daily examination of the health situation, as shaped by the reactivation of the population and the gradual lifting of restrictive measures, present the need for more intensive health protection measures.
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport and Youth, after consultation with the Ministry of Health, announces that:
- From now on and for as long as necessary, the presence of secondary school pupils will require a weekly negative diagnosis in a rapid test.
The aim is, since teachers and other school staff are already undergoing periodic examinations, to better shield the school and to minimise the likelihood of transmission of the virus within the school area, but also to transfer it subsequently to families.
- To this end, parents and guardians of pupils in Lyceums and Technical Schools are invited to give their consent and to encourage their children to undergo a rapid test at stations operating for the general public as soon as possible in the coming week.
- From Monday, March 8, 2021, they will need to have a negative test result before they can attend school and then the same will be required on a weekly basis.
- At the same time, and for practical convenience, arrangements are made with the Health Services in order to continue the visit of special workshops to certain Lyceums and Technical Schools for on-site examination. Interested parties will be informed by the school.
- The reopening of the Gymnasiums in the physical presence of students is being postponed and will start from Tuesday, March 16, 2021.
- Until then, after the consent of parents and guardians, students of Gymnasiums should also be tested in order to present the school with the negative diagnostic test.
- From Tuesday, March 16, 2021, they will need to have a negative test result before they can attend school and then the same will be required on a weekly basis.
- It should be clarified that the same arrangements apply to private schools. While the same operating rule should apply to pupils taking part in afternoon classes in nurseries, conservatories, etc.
- The Ministry of Education also appeals to parents and guardians of primary school children to encourage them to use a protective mask during their presence at school. This is highly recommended for children of older ages. The use of the mask in primary schools is still optional. However, where possible and when children can use it, it provides them and the school environment, but then their family with better protection.
- Children who either do not have a negative test result, where required, or for any other reason are unable to participate with a physical presence in school, will receive distance learning, in accordance with the arrangements already provided for, so that no student is deprived of education for as long as the exceptional protection measures apply.
Source: eyenews
