Puerto Rico suffers from shortage of vaccines against covid-19 3:38
(CNN Spanish) -
The president of the Senate of Puerto Rico, José Luis Dalmau, gave this Thursday a period of 10 days to the designated secretary of the Department of Education, Elba Aponte, and the designated secretary of the Department of Health, Carlos Mellado, to present an action plan with preparations for the reopening of public schools amid the pandemic, scheduled for March.
Dalmau warned that if the action plan "is not satisfactory or does not respond to the Senate's questions," they will ask Governor Pedro Pierluisi to postpone the resumption of face-to-face classes "until August."
Face-to-face classes in the public system were suspended in March 2020. At that time, the island's government ordered the closure of schools, universities and businesses in order to prevent the increase in coronavirus infections.
The Department of Education reported that there are 172 schools potentially eligible to reopen their doors and teach in person as of March.
The agency claims to have 857 schools and 23,987 teachers.
“If the designated secretaries fail to convince the senators of the prudent and appropriateness of this decision, we will be requesting the governor to postpone the resumption of face-to-face classes until next August.
A wrong decision on this matter can cost lives and, as far as the Senate is concerned, we are not going to be part of an improvisation, ”Dalmau said in a press release.
Guides for returning to face-to-face classes in Puerto Rico
Dalmau pointed out that the required report should include "precautionary measures, vaccination data for teachers and school cafeteria staff, disinfection strategies for facilities, school inspection, weekly monitoring and follow-up system, and compliance with the guidelines" established by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Meanwhile, designated secretary Elba Aponte said in written statements that “the Department of Education is developing guidelines for opening some schools that are highly potential for opening.
The Office for the Management of Public Buildings and the Public Buildings Authority work on the refurbishment of the schools.
The health and safety of staff and students is being prioritized for the opening of schools.
CNN contacted Lisdian Acevedo, press spokesman for the designated Secretary of the Department of Health, Carlos Mellado, without getting a response.
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