ON ICE - SCHOOL TRIPS, EVENTS AND TRAINING

 Filenews 22 October 2020 -  by  Evangelia Sizopoulou

Excursions, visits and other events inside and outside schools, that's it! At least until further notice. This is the directive received by the Ministry of Education from schools at all levels, which have been informed of the need for additional measures to avoid the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to the above, however, the operation of the camps, the Environmental Education Centres and the Training Centres operating in school buildings is suspended.

The ministry in its circular states that "there has been a relaxation in the observance of preventive measures to limit the dispersion of COVID-19 especially during breaks and during the service of students from canteens. The Directorates of Schools therefore expect more consistent and stricter implementation of the directives of the Ministry of Health and the health protocols of the Ministry of Education".

With regard to the main prevention measures in schools, the Ministry records the following in its circular, sounding the alarm in the Directorates:

- Daily check for symptoms both from home and during children/teachers' stay at school.

- Observe marked distances and avoid overcrowding.

- Good school hall ventilation.

- Use a mask.

- Surface cleaning.

- Note to students that no one is allowed to use buses without a mask.

- Where it is found that the necessary distances are not respected, teachers are advised to encourage pupils to wear a mask even in open spaces.

At the same time, the Ministry of Education informs that inspectors have already been instructed to intensify their visits to schools to monitor the implementation of the measures and record problems there and where they exist for solving purposes.

In the meantime, this afternoon, Minister Prodromos Prodromos will have a meeting with educational organisations and organised parents on the health data as they have been developed, the actions of the ministry, as well as on the discussion of other issues arising concerning the operation of schools.