Reduction of the health protocol in schools from the beginning of the winter holidays

In view of the improvement in the health situation due to the fall of the Omicron wave and the opinion of the High Council of Public Health of 11 February 2022, the Minister of National Education decided to lighten the health protocol in elementary schools as soon as the winter holidays of each zone start, that is, from 21 February 2022 for zone B. measures announced on 11 february 2022.

Health Protocol alleviation measures

Health protocol goes from level 3 to level 2 in elementary schools for the whole metropolitan area upon return of winter holidays of each area: 21 February 2022 for Area B, 28 February 2022 for Area A and 7 March 2022 for Area C.

This level change involves:

• End of the requirement for students and elementary school staff to wear masks outdoors.
• The possibility to practise physical and sports activities in the interior without wearing a mask, always respecting a physical distance. Contact sports are not allowed without a mask.
• End of class brewing limitation during catering and during absence of a teacher. Students will be able to be reallocated to the other classes when a teacher is absent and waiting for his replacement. Limitation of brewing by level remains.

The wearing of the mask in the interior spaces remains mandatory for staff and students 6 years and older.

Screening rules for contact cases:

• Deletion of the presentation of a certificate on parental honour of self-negative, from 21 February 2022.
• As of February 28, 2022, the screening of students and staff who are at risk will be reduced: only one test (self test or antigenic test) at J2 instead of three self tests (J0, J2 and J4).

What does Level 2 of the Health Protocol provide?

• Face-to-face courses at school, middle school and high school.
• Maintenance of improved ventilation and hand washing.
• Mandatory indoor wearing of the mask for staff and students from CP.
• The brewing limitation applies by level. Recreation is organised in groups, taking into account recommendations on barrier gestures; in case of significant organisational difficulties, they can be replaced by class breaks.
• The physical distance must be maintained between students of different groups (classes, class groups or levels).
• Disinfection of the worst affected surfaces several times a day and of the refectory tables after each service.
• Physical and sporting activities are generally organised outdoors. However, when indoor practice is essential (weather, availability of facilities, etc.), it is carried out in accordance with a distance adapted to the activity. Contact sports are not allowed.