School protocol: what new measures on March 14?

New protocol at school, level 1, end of the mask

This Monday morning marks the end of the mask at school with the passage of the health protocol from level 2 to level 1. Thus, students from primary to high school as well as teachers no longer have the obligation to wear the mask in the classrooms, but those who wish can still wear it. The mask is nevertheless strongly recommended for students with contact cases for a period of 7 days. In middle and high school, the rule for contact cases changes since until now, vaccinated students were not considered contact cases since they wore the mask. From now on, “all students who have shared a class with the confirmed case (common core class, specialty groups, options, languages, etc.) (will) be considered as at-risk contacts, without distinction between students who have or have not worn the mask” , specifies the Ministry of National Education in its new health protocol at school. As of March 14, students can also practice PE classes without restriction inside and outside (including contact sports. The new health protocol also provides for the end of the ban on mixing classes and in the canteen. However, the Ministry of National Education advises,as a first step and as far as possible, to limit excessive mixing between group-class and levels, especially during recreation and restoration times“.

Remember that since the end of the school holidays, 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. Finally, the presentation of a sworn statement attesting to the completion of the tests is no longer required for the return to school.

School outings: the health or vaccination pass suspended on March 14

“From March 14, 2022, the application of vaccination and health passes will be suspended on metropolitan territory in all establishments where it was required (leisure and cultural places, commercial catering activities, fairs and trade shows, etc.) with the exception of health and medico-social establishments” specifies the Ministry of National Education. They will therefore no longer be required for school outings, or even the activities of school sports federations.

What does level 1 provide for primary schools, colleges and high schools?

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.

School health protocol: Level 2 / yellow level

• 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.

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.