Filenews 16 March 2022
As part of the Efforts of the Ministry of Health to keep school units safe and in operation, as of Monday, March 21, 2022, the "test to stay" measure is being implemented in kindergartens, pre-primary schools and special schools.
Specifically:
- Children who are close contacts of a confirmed positive case within the school area will be able to come to the predetermined points announced by the Ministry of Health for a Rapid antigen test on the 3rd, 5th and 7th day after contact. The remaining days (1st, 2nd, 4th and 6th) parents should conduct a self-test on their children. The use of the measure is optional.
- For Special Schools that have nursing staff, the test will be carried out in the school unit upon the children's arrival. It is understood that children who have been declared as close contacts cannot use school buses for their transportation.
- The measure has retroactive effect, i.e. children who, since Monday 21 March, are self-limiting as close contacts of a confirmed case, will have the option to make use of the measure "test to stay".
- Children who do not make use of this measure should follow the instructions of the Ministry of Health for the management of close contacts of a confirmed positive case. That is, they will be self-limited for the period of 7 days and the release will be done by conducting a Rapid test with a negative result.
- Parents will be able to obtain the self-test package from the Tracing Officer of the school unit.
- Parents/guardians of children who are close contacts will receive from the Tracing Officer of the school unit, the Control Log Form that will be presented upon their arrival at the predetermined points for the conduct of the examination and will then be displayed upon their entry into the school unit.
- The test will be free of charge.
- This measure exceptionally concerns only the opening hours of school units and after the children leave the school units they should be placed in self-isolation, as they continue to be considered close contacts and will not be able to take part in other afternoon activities.
- The points of the Ministry of Health in school units and clinical laboratories are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. to better serve people who will be close contacts.
