The 16 measures for opening of schools on 14 September
ATHENS. Schools open in Greece on 14 September and the Education Ministry is placing great emphasis on adherence to 16 measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The Government and the Education Ministry expressed their certainty that the situation regarding the prevention of the virus spreading was under control as long as the mandatory measures decided upon in collaboration with the Experts Committee are adhered to.
Following are the 16 measures that are to be implemented when schools open:
1. Mandatory use of face masks in all indoor and outdoor areas and school buses, with special emphasis from kindergarten to third grade.
2. Updated instructions will be sent to schools and will also be published on the Ministry of Education website.
3. There will be antiseptics in all schools, cleaning of all areas will be meticulous - supervised by local Municipalities.
4. All-day schools will operate normally during the school year 2020-21, with a secured budget of additional credits of over 100m Euros.
5. Sample tests will be carried out by EODY at schools, where necessary.
6. Daily breaks will take place at different times and in different areas at each school.
7. School canteens will operate according to special instructions issued by the national committee of health experts.
8. School holidays and special celebrationss will take place in-class at each school, and the traditional opening ceremony and blessing by a priest will be performed per class, outdoors and with all protection measures.
9. - Class tests will take place wearing the mandatory face mask and in adherence with all other measures.
10. There will be no school trips and conferences in the coming school year.
11. Visits to museums, public buildings etc. will be carried out class-by-class only.
12. For sports, small teams are preferable for team games, but school championships will not take place this year.
13. School laboratories will be provided with cleaning equipment to be used before and after each session.
14. The same applies for all computer and IT rooms.
15. The same applies for all musical instruments and music rooms.
16. Following a recommendation for the exclusive use of personal water bottles, the A. C. Laskaridis Charitable Foundation is donating one such water bottle to every student up to sixth grade at all public and private schools, thus avoiding the exchange of bottles, glasses and mouth contact with the tap.
