Health protocol at school: level 2, what relief?

Easing of the protocol: what will change after the February holidays?

This Tuesday, February 8, the Ministries of Health and National Education and the unions have planned to meet to discuss the reduction of the health protocol at school and especially ventilation and wearing a mask. Invited to CNews on February 6, Jean-Michel Blanquer spoke of a “transition to level 2 of the health protocol, with the end of wearing masks outdoors for children“.”We can also wait the alleviation of constraints on sports practice“, added the Minister of National Education. Other measures are being studied, such as the deletion of one of the 3 mandatory self-tests when a student has a contact case or end of the “non-mixing of classes” in the first degree, which would allow pupils to be assigned to other classes when their teacher is absent. An announcement is expected to be made later this week regarding protocol relief that may take place. as soon as zone B students return from vacation, i.e. February 21.

How many classes and schools closed?

On February 4, the Ministry of National Education published an update on the impact of the 5th wave of coronavirus in schools. As of February 3 at 1 p.m., 48 school structures (47 schools, 1 college and 0 high school) are closed which represents 0.08% of all schools. 16 836 classes are closed out of 527,000 or 3.19%. In the last 7 days, 410 741 students were diagnosed positive (+ 43,082 in 24 hours) as well as 26,798 staff members (+ 3,332 in 24 hours). Reassuring figures according to Jean-Michel Blanquer. “We were on a plateau for two or three weeks in January, and now there is a small downtrend, a bit like we expected (…) It remains high obviously, but the trend is rather in the right direction“, explained the Minister of National Education on February 4 on South Radio.

Health protocol at school: the measures in force since the start of the school year on January 3

For the start of the school year on January 3, 2022, the Ministry of Education had decided to strengthen the measures in schools. For now, the health protocol remains level 3 for nursery and elementary schools, and level 2 for colleges and high schools. It was later updated to a January 6 release. It should also be remembered that three self-tests are enough to screen student contact cases and only one certificate is necessary to prove that your child is negative. Here are the measures in force for schoolchildren:

• If a student returns to class after a negative test and then reports positive, following a self-test carried out on D2 or D4 for example, it is not necessary to restart a screening cycle for the other pupils in the class or the contacts at risk. “The screening cycle only restarts if the second confirmed case has had contact with 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 mandatory screening or quarantine.
• In the canteen, gymnasiums, outdoor spaces and party rooms can be used when the staggering of time slots or the organization of several services does not allow compliance with the rules of distancing and limitation of mixing. As a last resort, take-away meals may also be offered (if possible, alternating cold take-out meals for students and hot meals in the canteen on a rotating basis every other day).
• In the absence of a teacher and while waiting for his replacement, the students should not be divided into other classes, to avoid mixing.
• Outdoor sports activities. “It is very strongly recommended to prioritize physical and sports activities outdoors” specifies the government. If this is not possible, “low intensity activities compatible with wearing a mask and the rules of distancing must be preferred”, specifies the new health protocol.
• No friendliness 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.
• Meetings between teachers at a distance: The Ministry of National Education recommends the organization of meetings remotely or by videoconference. If this is not possible, barrier gestures must be respected (wearing a mask, ventilation, and distancing). In addition, the health pass will not be requested to access the premises. class councils as well as educational meetings must also be organized as a priority remotely.
• Meetings with the parents of students strongly discouraged. The Ministry of Education recommends instead, individual appointments, preferably remotely.
• Music lessons and choir activities can take place with the wearing of a mask and respect for 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 of high schools and colleges” specifies the protocol.
• School outings and trips : it is recommended to postpone school outings, especially if they take place in an enclosed place, such as a theatre, museum or cinema. School outings such as walks in the forest, orienteering races can be organized outdoors. “With regard to school trips, it is also advisable to postpone them as far as possible”.
• The third dose must be administered before January 30 for personnel concerned by the vaccination obligation.
• The 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 after three positive Covid cases.

What does level 3 in primary school provide?

Nursery and elementary schools must comply with level 3 of the health protocol, including the wearing of masks indoors and outdoors for students from CP as well as staff.

• 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 authorized.
• 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 degree, the non-mixing between pupils of different classes must imperatively be respected 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 limitation of mixing applies by level;
• Cleaning of the premises: several times a day. The tables in the refectory are cleaned and disinfected, at least, 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 degree with a distance of at least two meters with the pupils of the other classes. Individual service is in place (trays, cutlery, plating, water), but bulk is prohibited.

What does level 2 provide for colleges and high schools?

Middle and high school students remain at level 2 of the health protocol.

• face-to-face reception of all students.
• Physical and sporting activities generally 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 enclosed 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, particularly in high school, the restriction on mixing applies by level;
• Cleaning of the premises: several times a day. The tables in the refectory are cleaned and disinfected, at least, after each service;
• In the canteen, the stability of the groups is sought and, as far as possible, the same pupils have lunch every day at the same table in the first level. It is recommended to organize an individual service (trays, cutlery, water, dressing 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 provides for four scenarios depending on the epidemic situation, with adaptations at national or territorial level during the 2021-2022 school year. Distance learning 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 allowed indoors and outdoors;
• for staff, wearing a mask is compulsory in enclosed spaces and the rules relating to the wearing of a mask outdoors in the general population are respected
• for students, wearing a mask is compulsory for middle and high school students in enclosed spaces. Thereby, it is no longer compulsory in primary, from CP.
• The limitation of mixing between groups of pupils (classes, groups of classes, levels) is not compulsory.
• Cleaning and disinfection of premises: at least once a day. The tables in the refectory are cleaned and disinfected, at least, after each service;
• In the canteen, the spaces must be arranged to allow as much distance as possible between the students.

Sanitary protocol at school: Level 4 / red level

• systematic hybridization in high school and for 4th and 3rd year students in college with a 50% cap on numbers.
• Regarding physical and sports 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 shuffling: the rules are the same as 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.