Romania prepares for new school year amid uncertainties about growing virus cases

Foto: INQUAM/Virgil Simionescu

Romania’s schools are preparing to reopen on September 13 amid uncertainties over how the fourth Covid-19 wave will affect learning.

The education minister Sorin Cîmpeanu in Wednesday confirmed that pupils will return to physical school this month. Schools will only close if Covid-19 cases shoot up.

Infection rate

Schools will close when the infection rate exceeds 6 per 1,000 residents in a given area. Students will return to remote learning as they did last year, he said. Kindergartens and creches will remain open even when rates are high, he added.

Bucharest had an infection rate of 0.78 to 1,000 on August 31, six times higher than the beginning of the month, health minister Ioana Mihăilă said.

There were 1,443 new cases reported on Wednesday, about 10% more than the previous day. Twenty-one deaths were added.

Disregard

Authorities anticipate 2,000 new cases a day by the end of the month. The virus has spread faster than predicted due to the more contagious delta variant combined with a disregard for restrictions during the summer.

Mindful of rising cases, the health minister said that current restrictions designed to stem the spread of the virus would stay in place.

Pupils and teachers will wear face masks indoors and classrooms will be aired. There will  be physical distancing in classrooms and sport’s halls.

Face coverings

The health ministry says everyone should wear masks that cover their nose and chin. Other forms of face coverings such as scarves are not permitted.

„We are testing in schools and we are preparing to vaccinate,” Ms Mihăilă said.

She said if a pupil or teacher someone tested positive for coronavirus, the rest of the class would learn online for the following fortnight. The rule applies up to the VI grade.

“The class cane return after eight days as long as everyone has had a rapid antigen test and they are negative,” she said.

Testing

“Testing will take place in schools. If the children’s parents refuse for them to be tested, they will have to stay online until the two weeks are up.”

Older pupils who have already had the virus in the last 6 months or are vaccinated can continue physical learning. The rest will learn online for up to two weeks.

Masks will be compulsory at the opening festivities that each school has to mark the beginning of the new school year.  At other times, nobody will be obliged to wear masks outside.

Covid cases surge in Romania to almost four-month high

 

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