Many parents will take their children to school today, on their first day back after the Christmas break, anxiously and crossed fingers, knowing that the rate of covid infection is rampant in the middle of the sixth wave and the variation ómicron circulates at will. Teachers are also subject to sick leave as a result of covid. On Friday, 31 coronavirus cases were confirmed among the Balearic Islands’ 19,000 teachers and professors. Expect many more sick leaves in education today and tomorrow, Tuesday, due to covid. For these types of absences, the government has planned a brigade of express substitutes comprised (for the time being) of 60 teachers.
Despite the fact that this return to the classroom is full of uncertainty due to health issues, the Interterritorial Council decided on Tuesday that the second quarter will be entirely face-to-face in all educational stages. Schools must rigorously enforce the guidelines to guarantee the safety of their kids.
Covid quarantines: Whole groups will be restricted only if there are five or more cases
When it came to prepare for the return to school, the step that raised the most concerns was quarantine management. Finally, the Public Health Commission recommended the elimination of complete bubble group confinement in Infant and Primary classrooms when there are fewer than five cases in the classroom on Friday. For individuals over the age of 12, the general policy will be followed, which exempts contacts who have received a full schedule of vaccinations from quarantine but requires those who have not been immunised to do so.
New covid symptoms: the list of symptoms has been revised as a result of the development of variants
One of the most crucial conditions is that the pupil not attend school if he or she exhibits any symptom consistent with covid. The government modified the information supplied to schools to reflect the new variations’ symptoms. In addition to the usual symptoms, these include sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, night sweats, nausea, and even hair loss.
Interpersonal distance: increases to one and a half metres in the third year of ESO in levels 3 and 4
The increase in interpersonal distance adds another wrinkle to safety precautions. Previously, 1.2 metres was sufficient; however, beginning with the third year of ESO and when at alert levels 3 and 4, a distance of one and a half metres must be maintained as far as practicable.
Temperature: the government recommended that schools not exceed 37.5 degrees Celsius
As a precaution, the government advises schools to take the temperature at the entry, which should not be more than 37.5 °C. It will also recommend that face-to-face meetings be avoided if possible.
Non-teaching activities with overnight stays are disallowed as extracurricular activities
On the other hand, the Balearic Executive has forbidden students from participating in extracurricular activities that require an overnight stay, unless they are part of the Erasmus programme.
Ventilation: reduces the likelihood of inhaling virus particles in the air
When it comes to cleaning and disinfecting the facilities, one of the most significant precautions that the health authorities advise is to keep the classrooms ventilated. In this regard, despite the cold, the Department of Education insists on enhancing natural ventilation to lessen the probability of children breathing in airborne virus particles.
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