Jean-Michel Blanquer evokes “significant reductions”. The Minister of National Education presented Friday, February 11 the new health protocol which must apply in schools, declaring that “the worst is clearly behind us”. The changes mainly concern the primary school whose health protocol goes from level 3 to level 2. Franceinfo details these measures.
The changes come into effect after the winter holidays
The “reliefs are valid for the return to school of each zone”, said Jean-Michel Blanquer. They will therefore apply according to the calendar of each zone: from February 21 for zone B, February 28 for zone A and March 7 for zone C. When returning to class, mixing will be limited either by class but by level.
End of the mask outside in schools
With the new protocol, wearing a mask outdoors will no longer be necessary. Physical activities can take place indoors without a mask, but always respecting physical distance. This means that it will therefore always be necessary to wear a mask for contact sports, has clearly specified the Minister of National Education. However, theWearing a mask will remain compulsory inside for staff and students aged six and over.
Fewer self-tests for contact case students
For the moment, three self-tests are required when a student turns out to be a contact case (on D0, D+2 and D+4). From February 28, only one self-test will be required. “Students, like staff, will only have to perform one test on D+2, instead of three”, detailed the minister, claiming to follow the advice of the High Council for Public Health. In addition, from February 21, the sworn statement confirming having carried out the screenings “will no longer be required”. “We will be in a system of trust in accordance with the opinion of the High Council”underlined Jean-Michel Blanquer.
In general, according to the Minister, “future relief may be considered if the improvement in the health situation continues over the coming weeks, in connection with the relief that could be retained in the general population”.
No change in secondary
The rules are not modified for colleges and high schools, which remain at level 2. In these establishments, “the doctrine defined last September continues to apply”said Jean-Michel Blanquer: “Vaccinated students are not considered contact cases if they have had an infected student in their class.” “Primary school had been the subject of special measures”because it has a “minority of vaccinated students”recalled the Minister, once again encouraging parents to have their children aged 5-11 vaccinated.