The North Rhine-Westphalian school ministry wants to inform the schools about the further corona protection rules by Thursday at the latest.
"As part of an overall view of the infection situation", the state government will discuss hygiene and infection protection measures over the next few days and inform the schools "in good time, but no later than Thursday", the Ministry of Education said on Tuesday.
Düsseldorf - Before the autumn break, the ministry announced that mouth and nose protection would no longer be required on seats in the classroom at the beginning of the second week of classes - i.e. from November 2nd.
Pupils would then only have to wear the mask in the rest of the building.
The mask requirement for outside areas had been abolished some time ago.
The usual corona tests in schools are to be continued until Christmas: i.e. three corona self-tests per week in secondary schools and two PCR pool tests per week in elementary and special schools.
In North Rhine-Westphalia and nationwide, the seven-day incidence of the corona pandemic has increased further in the past few days.
The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) stated the number of new infections per 100,000 inhabitants within a week on Tuesday for North Rhine-Westphalia as 72.9.
On Monday the value was 70.6, on Sunday it was 68.9.
In the federal government, the seven-day incidence on Tuesday was significantly higher at 113.0.
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Slight decrease in the seven-day incidence
The nationwide seven-day incidence of new corona infections in Rhineland-Palatinate fell from 56.3 to 54.5 within one day.
The value indicates the number of new infections per 100,000 inhabitants within seven days.
As the State Investigation Office in Koblenz announced on Friday (as of 2.10 p.m.), the incidence of hospitalization increased - i.e. the number of hospital cases per 100.
Slight decrease in the seven-day incidence
RKI expects corona increase for autumn and winter
The corona numbers in Germany have recently calmed down again.
However, the Robert Koch Institute expects that to change in the foreseeable future.
RKI expects corona increase for autumn and winter
Considering the abolition of the mask requirement in class
Saxony's Minister of Education and Cultural Affairs Christian Piwarz (CDU) is considering abolishing the mask requirement in school lessons after the autumn break.
While a mask would have to be worn in the school building with an incidence of 35 and over, it should no longer be necessary in the field or in class, the ministry said on Friday.
Several media had previously reported unanimously about the plans.
Considering the abolition of the mask requirement in class
"The debate about the abolition of the mask requirement in schools comes at an inopportune time," said the education policy spokeswoman for the Green parliamentary group, Sigrid Beer. "Because increasing incidences among children and adolescents as well as the increased risks of returning travelers after the autumn vacation leave no room for experiments at the moment." The vaccination rates for 12 to 17 year olds are still not sufficiently high.
In view of the increasing number of cases, especially in the age group of children and adolescents, the German Teachers Association sees its fears confirmed that the corona relaxations in several federal states, especially the partial or general abolition of the mask requirement, "were wrong and too early came".
dpa
