Schools: The differentiated test to stay is implemented with 148 sampling points for students

The differences regarding the measure come into force from today, Tuesday test to stay, which started on Monday in schools, while the Ministry of Health announced 148 sampling points which will apply to today for Primary and Secondary Education students.

In a statement, the competent Ministry states that the children who make up close contacts of a confirmed incident COVID-19 and protocol should be limited, should be daily for period of 6 days to be transported by their parents to predetermined sampling points, which will operate in school units, to be subjected to a rapid antigen test (Rapid test) and then, if the result of the test is negative, to be transferred to their school unit.

According to him, the specific points will operate from 07:00 to 08:00 for the better service of the students, who will be close contacts.

For her students Secondary education is recommended as they arrive between the hours of 07:00 - 07:30, so that there is no further loss of teaching time.

In addition, her students Primary and Secondary education, residing in remote or mountainous communities, will continue to be served by sampling points, visiting school units, as announced by the Ministry of Health.

The Ministry of Health clarifies that in any case, the responsibility of escorting and supervising the children, who will come to the sampling centers located in the schools, is the responsibility of the parents / guardians.

Moreover, it reminds that the observance of the above measure is optional and is addressed only to students who are close contacts of a confirmed positive incident COVID-19 and declared within the school, as defined by the health protocol governing the school units (two meters away from all directions of the positive incident, inside the classroom, during breaks, during sports and during transport with private vehicle).

He also emphasizes that the measure has no retroactive effect and therefore, is addressed only to students who are close contacts of confirmed positive incidents, which were identified in the school units, from Monday, January 24, 2022.

About what applies to close contacts, who have no history of vaccination or have received at least one vaccine dose or have completed their vaccination schedule and the 7-month period has elapsed or have become ill and the 90-day period has elapsed, the Ministry of Health says they will have the choice of either being restricted 10 days, as provided by the relevant protocol and to be released on the 7th day if they present a negative PCR test at the same cost, or to come to the predetermined points for a rapid antigen test (Rapid test) daily, for the period of 6 consecutive days after contact (excluding holidays and weekends).

Regarding the examination with molecular PCR test on day 7, as provided for in the close contact management protocol, the Ministry of Health is considering the possibility of replacing the PCR test on day 7 with a Rapid test.

This measure, he adds, exceptionally concerns only the opening hours of the school units (including single all-day schools and optional all-day schools) and after the withdrawal of close contacts from the schools, they should be self-restrained, as they continue to be considered close contacts and will not be able to take part in other afternoon activities (such as tutoring, sports, etc.).

These people should avoid being transported by public transport and go to school by private vehicle.

Regarding what applies to close contacts who have completed their vaccination program and have not passed the 7-month period or have a disease certificate and have not passed the 90-day period, the Ministry of Health states that according to the protocol they are not obliged to self-limit, however, they will perform a rapid antigen test (Rapid test) daily for the period of 6 consecutive days after contact (excluding holidays and weekends), as defined by the health protocol governing the school units (two meters away from all directions of the positive event , inside the classroom, during breaks, during sports and when transported by private vehicle).

The absence of students from the classroom during the laboratory testing process will be justified.

He clarifies that the test to stay measure will be implemented on a pilot basis and variations may occur depending on the epidemiological picture.

Moreover, in successive meetings of the Minister of Health with organizations of teachers and organized parents, it was decided that the measure be re-evaluated next Monday, January 31, 2022, in a meeting to be held in the presence of the Ministers of Health and Education.