School minister recommends corona protective masks indoors
Created: 2022-07-28Updated: 2022-07-28 12:08 p.m
An FFP2 mask lies on a light table.
© Frank Rumpenhorst/dpa/Illustration
There will be no mask requirement at NRW schools after the summer holidays, nor will there be any mandatory series of tests.
However, the minister recommends wearing a mask in the classroom voluntarily and testing yourself at home as the need arises.
Düsseldorf – The North Rhine-Westphalian school minister Dorothee Feller (CDU) recommends wearing corona protective masks voluntarily in the classes and other indoor areas in the new school year.
This emerges from a letter to parents distributed on Thursday and a “Corona action concept”.
The following are the most important regulations, which primarily rely on personal responsibility.
Mask:
It is recommended to wear a medical mask or an FFP2 mask inside the schools.
For children and young people, the advice is limited to the former.
"However, no obligation to wear a mask can be derived from this recommendation," says the guideline.
"Such an obligation can neither be brought about by the decision of the school conference, nor is the domiciliary right of the school authorities a suitable legal basis for this".
This applies equally to alternative schools.
Masks will therefore continue to be made available by the school authorities.
Legal framework:
The Bundestag has a draft to amend the Federal Infection Protection Act, which will be discussed after the summer break, according to the paper from the Ministry of Education.
"It remains to be seen whether there will be further adjustments and protective measures in school operations on this basis and in view of the development of the corona pandemic."
Tests:
The country will provide antigen self-tests for students and school staff, which will be distributed through schools.
It is therefore planned that the students will test themselves at home if they have symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose or other relevant symptoms.
The tests are voluntary.
Start of school:
On the first day of school after the summer holidays - i.e. on August 10th or one day later for first graders - all pupils are given the opportunity to test themselves at school.
In addition, all around 5500 schools in NRW would be supplied between August 1st and 8th.
As in the previous school year, the schools and local authorities will then order as needed.
In an accompanying decree to the school authorities and district governments, it is insisted “that home storage may include a maximum of five tests”.
Teacher powers:
If symptoms only appear at school and there are no current negative findings, tests should be carried out at school.
The guide explains that the decision is up to the teacher.
This also assesses “whether further participation in classes is justifiable in the case of severe symptoms”.
Positive result:
Positive self-tests must be backed up by a citizen or PCR test.
If these are also positive, there is an obligation for students, teachers and caregivers to “immediately go directly to isolation”.
This generally ends after ten days or, in the case of an earlier negative test, after five days.
Contact persons - such as those sitting next to you - can continue to visit the school.
"Here, however, the recommendation for a self-test after the contact applies."
Colds:
"In the case of severe cold symptoms, school attendance is not indicated - even if there is a negative antigen self-test," emphasizes the Corona concept.
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Air filter:
The state supports the municipalities with subsidy programs when setting up technical ventilation or the installation of air cleaning devices.
The ministry announced that the country would also finance the purchase of CO2 measuring devices on a one-off basis.
"CO2 measuring devices can indicate a lack of air exchange and therefore support the selection of the right ventilation intervals." The expert council of the federal government recommends these devices.
"However, regular airing of the classrooms and course rooms remains essential."
Protection against infection:
It is also recommended to stick to proven simple protective measures, such as safety distances and regular hand washing.
School bus:
The Corona Protection Ordinance stipulates that masks must be worn when transporting schoolchildren in public transport.
Face-to- face teaching:
"Our goal is to maintain school operations and face-to-face teaching at all times," emphasizes the Ministry of Education.
Nevertheless, it is advisable to “prepare scenarios for possible distance learning in advance”.
Examinees:
Anyone who is about to take an exam and falls ill with Corona is exempt from the exam during the mandatory isolation period.
After five days of isolation, the examinee must present a new positive Citizen or PCR test result or a medical certificate in order to be excused and be able to take the examination later.
Catch-up programmes
: With the "Arrive and Catch-up" program, schools have until December 31st the opportunity to set up and expand individual support offers, hire additional staff for a limited period or organize cooperation with external partners so that pupils can catch up on learning deficits caused by the pandemic.
Corona situation:
Since the immunization of the population has increased significantly and severe corona diseases have remained “stable at a low level”, “public life without major restrictions or extensive protective measures” is currently possible, the school minister summed up in her letter to parents.
At noon she wanted to inform the public in Düsseldorf about further framework conditions for the start of school after the summer holidays.
dpa
