School health protocol: further new measures

What new new measures at school?

Barely three days after the start of the school year at the start of the year, the health protocol at the school has again evolved, while 9,200 classes are closed as of January 6.

► If a student returns to class after a negative test and then declares himself positive, following a self-test carried out on D2 or D4 for example, it is not necessary to restart a screening cycle for other students in the class or contacts at risk. “The screening cycle only restarts if the second confirmed case has had contact with the other students after a period of 7 days following the identification of the first case”, explains the ministry.

► Another novelty: students and staff who have contracted Covid-19 for less than two months are not subject to the obligation of screening or quarantine.

► In the canteen, gymnasiums, outdoor spaces and party rooms can be used when the spread of time slots or the organization of several services do not allow the rules of distancing and limitation of mixing to be respected. As a last resort, take-away meals may also be offered (if possible by alternating cold, take-out meals for the students and hot meals in the canteen on a rotating basis every other day).

What has changed at school since the start of the January 3:

For the start of the school year on January 3, 2022, the Ministry of Education has decided to strengthen measures in schools. The health protocol remains at level 3 for nursery and elementary schools, and level 2 for middle and high schools.

► In case of absence of a teacher and while waiting for its replacement, the pupils should not be distributed among the other classes, to avoid mixing.

► Outdoor sports activities. “It is very strongly recommended to prioritize physical and sporting activities outdoors” specifies the government. If this is not possible, “low-intensity activities compatible with wearing a mask and the rules of distancing should be favored”, specifies the new health protocol.

► No galette des rois at school : “moments of conviviality between students and staff or between staff must now be prohibited” because they do not allow barrier gestures to be respected.

► Remote meetings between professors: The Ministry of National Education recommends the organization of meetings remotely or by videoconference. If this is not possible, the barrier gestures must be respected (wearing a mask, ventilation, and distancing). In addition, the health pass will not be required to access the premises. Class councils as well as educational meetings must also be organized as a priority in distance.

► Meetings with parents are strongly discouraged. The Ministry of Education recommends instead, individual appointments, preferably remote.

► Music lessons and choir activities can take place with the wearing of a mask and the respect of barrier gestures. “For activities of this type organized outdoors, the wearing of a mask is essential for school staff and students. It is recommended for students and staff in high schools and colleges” specifies the protocol.

► School trips and trips : it is recommended to postpone school outings, especially if they take place in an enclosed area, such as the theater, museum or cinema. School outings such as forest walks and orienteering races can be organized outdoors. “Regarding school trips, it is also advisable to postpone them as far as possible”.

► The third dose should be administered before January 30 for staff concerned by the vaccination obligation.

► Isolation rules are adapted according to the pupil’s vaccination schedule when a positive case is detected in the class

► In primary school, the class no longer closes from three positive cases for Covid.

What does level 3 (orange) of the primary school health protocol provide?

Kindergartens and elementary schools must respect level 3 of the health protocol, with in particular the wearing of the mask indoors and outdoors for students from the first grade as well as the staff. After a confirmed case, students continue with classroom lessons if they test negative. Positive students take distance education at home and isolate themselves for 10 days. Families will need to be screened again after 7 days. In elementary school, the class closes for 7 days as soon as three confirmed cases appear among the students.

• hybridization possible in high school when the configuration of the establishment requires it.
• The activities take place outdoors, but if necessary indoors, only low intensity activities compatible with wearing a mask and a distance of 2 meters are allowed.
• For staff, the mask is mandatory in enclosed spaces and outdoors
• The mask is compulsory in primary, middle and high school in enclosed spaces and outdoors
• limitation of mixing between pupils of different groups (class, groups of classes or level). In the first stage, the lack of mixing between students of different classes must be observed in the canteen. This limitation is all the more necessary when the distance between pupils of the same group can hardly be respected (in particular in nursery school). When non-mixing between classes is not possible (especially in high school), the restriction on mixing applies by level;
• Cleaning of the premises: several times a day. The refectory tables are cleaned and disinfected, at a minimum, after each service and, if possible, after each meal;
• The pupils have lunch in groups and if possible, every day at the same table in the first stage with a distance of at least two meters from the pupils of the other classes. Individual service is set up (trays, cutlery, plate dressing, water), but bulk is prohibited.

What does level 2 provide for middle and high schools?

Middle and high school students remain at level 2 of the health protocol. The high-risk contact students without complete vaccination continue for 7 days with distance learning. Contact pupils at risk who justify a complete vaccination continue face-to-face lessons.

• face-to-face reception of all students.
• In principle, physical and sporting activities take place outdoors. In the event of bad weather, for example, activities can take place indoors with a distance of 2 meters.
• Wearing a mask is compulsory indoors for National Education staff.
• Wearing a mask is compulsory in confined spaces.
• The limitation of mixing between pupils of different groups (class, groups of classes or level) is required. This limitation is all the more necessary when the distance between pupils of the same group can hardly be respected, as in nursery school for example. When this recommendation cannot be applied, in particular in high school, the limitation of mixing applies by level;
• Cleaning of the premises: several times a day. The refectory tables are cleaned and disinfected, at a minimum, after each service;
• In the canteen, the stability of the groups is sought and, as far as possible, the same pupils eat every day at the same table in the first stage. It is recommended to organize an individual service (trays, cutlery, water, serving on the plate or on the tray)

What are the other levels of protocol at school?

The health protocol for the 2021-2022 school year has four levels so that the measures are proportionate to the circulation of the virus.

School health protocol: Level 1 / green level

The Ministry of Education foresees four scenarios depending on the epidemic situation, with adaptations at the national or territorial level during the 2021-2022 school year. Distance education as well as physical and sports activities may be modified according to the level. Here is what the level 1 health protocol:

• face-to-face reception of all students;
• physical and sporting activities are permitted indoors and outdoors;
• for staff, wearing a mask is compulsory in confined spaces and the rules relating to wearing a mask outdoors in the general population are respected
• for students, wearing a mask is compulsory for middle and high school students in confined spaces. Thereby, it is no longer compulsory in primary, from CP.
• The restriction of mixing between groups of pupils (classes, groups of classes, levels) is not compulsory.
• Cleaning and disinfection of the premises: at least once a day. The refectory tables are cleaned and disinfected, at a minimum, after each service;
• In the canteen, the spaces must be arranged to allow as much distance as possible between the students

School health protocol: Level 4 / red level

• Systematic hybridization in high school and for fourth and third year students in middle school with a 50% enrollment limit.
• Regarding physical and sporting activities, they are kept outdoors, respecting a distance of 2 meters and suspended indoors.
• wearing a mask is compulsory in enclosed spaces and outdoors for staff
• The mask is compulsory in primary, middle and high school in enclosed spaces and outdoors
• Limitation of student mixing: the rules are the same as for level 3 (orange)
• Cleaning of the premises: several times a day, after each service, and if possible after each meal.
• In the canteen, the same rules as the orange level apply: no bulk, individual service, group lunch and if possible every day at the same table in the first degree.