School protocol: return to zone C, end of the mask, level

[Mise à jour du 4 mars à 9h58]. On March 3 at 1 p.m., the Ministry of National Education recorded 1742 classes and 3 schools closed. Recall that the students of zone B resumed school on February 21 and those of zone A returned to class on February 28. This Monday, March 7, it will therefore be the turn of the students in zone C to return to school, without wearing a mask outside. They will have to wait until March 14 to remove the mask indoors, in classrooms.

The end of the mask in classes from March 14

This Thursday March 3, Jean Castex announced the end of the obligation to wear a mask indoors, from March 14, except in public transport and medical establishments. Primary schoolchildren, middle and high school students as well as teachers will therefore be able to remove the mask in class, said the Prime Minister on the 1 p.m. news on TF1. He also announced the suspension of the vaccination pass on this date. This new measure is rather well received by the teachers’ unions who have long been calling for the end of the mask at school. Clarifications should nevertheless be made, particularly with regard to the wearing a mask during sports activities or when a positive case is declared in the classbelieve the trade unions.

A health meeting organized on Wednesday March 9 should make it possible to address these questions, including the possibility of other arrangements such as the transition to level 1 of the health protocol at school, or the mixing of students… So many elements that will be studied and discussed between the teachers’ unions, the Ministry of Health and that of National Education.

What changes for the start of the school year on Monday March 7?

After the pupils of zones B and A, the pupils of zone C are back to school this Monday, March 7. the wearing a mask is no longer mandatory outdoors, especially in the playground and since February 28, students no longer need to perform three tests on D0, D+2 and D+4, but only one test on D2, in order to prove that they are negative when they are contact cases. The health protocol is therefore reduced to level 2 for all schoolchildren as soon as they return from the winter holidays zone by zone.

• since February 21, 2022 for zone B
• since February 28, 2022 for zone A
• March 7, 2022 for zone C

End of the mask at recess, sport: what changes?

The simplification of the health protocol for schoolchildren therefore implies:

• the end of the obligation to wear a mask outdoors for elementary school students and staff. Indoors, wearing a mask remains compulsory for children over 6 years old until March 14.
• The possibility of practicing indoor physical and sports activities again without wearing a mask (respecting a distance: contact sports are therefore not authorized without a mask);
• The relaxation of the rules limiting mixing (by level or group of classes rather than by class), in particular during restoration times.

One test and the end of the sworn statement

Since February 28, i.e. four weeks after the epidemic peak, the screening system for people who have had contact with a confirmed case is reduced in the general population. It is also in the school environment, specifies the Ministry of National Education. Thereby, students and staff no longer have to carry out only one test (self-test or antigenic test) on D2 instead of three (D0, D2 and D4-).

Finally, the presentation of a sworn statement attesting to the completion of the tests is no longer required for the return to school. This simplification measure applies since the start of the school year on February 21 and 28.

What does level 2 provide for primary schools, 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. Remember that the mask will no longer be compulsory indoors from March 14.
• 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 does level 3 of the health protocol provide?

• Wearing a mask 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 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 school, at college 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.