The epidemic is receding, the protocol is becoming lighter.
With the lower incidence of Covid-19 recorded in recent weeks, the Minister of National Education Jean-Michel Blanquer has decided to release schools from a certain number of health constraints in force to protect themselves from the Omicron wave, including the peak has been largely exceeded.
And this, from the start of the winter holidays.
“I am very happy to be able to have this new relief and I hope that we will gradually take steps,” welcomed the minister, invited on February 11 by Political Questions, a program of Radio France and Le Monde.
The health protocol goes from level 3 to level 2 from this Monday, for zone B, from February 28 and March 7 for zones A and C. Update on the changes announced.
End of the mask outdoors
Students will be able to enjoy the playground without their mask, optional outdoors at level 2 of the health protocol.
The relief also applies to elementary school staff.
A decree published this Saturday confirms the measure.
A decree formalizes the end of the wearing of the compulsory mask outside at school, therefore applicable to the return from school holidays (from Monday for zone B).
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In class, the end of the compulsory mask could take place in mid-March, according to Olivier Véran.https://t.co/ruJ4YXnxiD pic.twitter.com/5uEOxOoEUr
— Nicolas Berrod (@nicolasberrod) February 19, 2022
"Wearing a mask in indoor spaces remains compulsory for staff and students aged 6 and over", specifies the direction of legal and administrative information, on service-public.fr.
VIDEO.
Sanitary protocol at school: a single test, no more outdoor masks... what to remember from the relaxations
Physical activities without a mask, except for contact sports
The mask can also be removed during indoor physical and sports activities, if physical distancing is possible.
In addition, the mask remains compulsory when practicing contact sports, which by nature do not allow barrier distances to be maintained.
No more need for certificates and fewer tests for contact cases
A mountain of paperwork doomed to disappear and a new system based on "trust", according to Jean-Michel Blanquer.
From February 21, the presentation of a sworn statement by the parents of students attesting that a self-screening has been carried out and is negative will no longer be required.
The screening rules for contact cases (adults and children) are also changing, but only from "February 28" according to the minister.
A single test will be requested on D2 instead of the three self-tests at 2-day intervals requested so far.
Jean-Michel Blanquer sees it as a way to give “more flexibility” to parents and teachers.
The mixing of classes of the same level, again possible
During the absence of a teacher or during meals in the canteen, students can again be mixed by level.
Mixing remains limited in other circumstances.
A CP student will still not be able to eat with a CE2 student, for example.
The physical distance between students of different classes is therefore maintained.
Read alsoWhy Olivier Véran conditions the end of the mask on the number of Covid patients in intensive care
With 29,194 positive coronavirus patients in French hospitals, 2,970 people in critical care and 92,345 cases of Covid-19 at the last national report, the epidemic is declining.
The incidence rate drops by 40% per week, for a week.
If this trend is confirmed, the protocols could be further reduced in the coming weeks.
The Minister of Health Olivier Véran believes in particular that the mask could completely disappear from schools, "probably in mid-March".
