A negative rapid test from high school students will be required

The findings arising from the daily examination of the health situation, as it is formed with the reactivation of the population and the gradual lifting of restrictive measures, present the need for the implementation of more intensive health protection measures.

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth, after consultations with the Ministry of Health announces that:

• From now on and for as long as required, the presence of secondary school students in schools will require a weekly negative diagnosis in a rapid test.

The aim is, since the teachers and the rest of the school staff are already undergoing periodic examination, to better shield the school and to minimize the possibility of the virus being transmitted within the school, but also its transmission to families.

• For this purpose, the parents and guardians of the students / three in Lyceums and Technical Schools are invited to give their consent and to encourage their children to undergo a diagnostic examination (rapid test) in the stations that operate for the general public, as soon as possible. , within the next week.
• From Monday, March 8, 2021, they will need to have a negative test result in order to be able to attend school and then the same will be required on a weekly basis.
• At the same time, and for practical convenience, arrangements are made with the Health Services, so as to continue the visit of special teams in some Lyceums and Technical Schools for on-site examination. Those interested will be informed by the school.
• The reopening of the Gymnasiums with the physical presence of students is postponed and will begin on Tuesday, March 16, 2021.
• Until then, after the consent of the parents and guardians, the students of the Gymnasiums should be examined, so that they can present the negative diagnosis to the school.
• From Tuesday, March 16, 2021, they will need to have a negative test result in order to be able to attend school and then the same will be required on a weekly basis.
• It is clarified that the exact same arrangements apply to private schools. While the same rule of operation must be applied to students who participate in afternoon classes in tutoring, conservatories, etc.
• The Ministry of Education also appeals to the parents and guardians of Primary Education children to encourage them to use a protective mask during their presence at school. This is especially recommended for older children. The use of the mask in primary schools is still optional. However, where possible and when children can use it, it provides better protection for themselves and the school environment, but also for their family.
• Those children who either do not have a negative test result, where required, or for any other reason are unable to participate physically in school, will receive distance education, according to the arrangements already provided, so that no student is deprived of education for as long as the emergency protection measures are in force.