Education Minister Niki Kerameos announced on Tuesday that schools and pre-schools will open on September 14, 2020,. and not on Sept 7th as it was originally planned.
Kerameos justified the belated opening saying that a lot of families were still on summer holidays and the late school opening will give time to those coronavirus infected but asymptomatic to recover and for the “epidemiological situation to stabilize.”.
She called on holidaymakers to “return home and stay home.”
She stressed that schools will begin at the same time for all stundets, including pre-schoolers and with increased precautionary measures.
“Every step is evaluated and updated and we will not hesitate to take even more stringent measures,” she underlined.
She reiterated that the use of a mask will be mandatory. Children with cognitive developmental or behavioral disorders are excluded from the use of a mask.
The breaks will take place at different times.
Absences will not be counted if the student is infected with coronavirus himself or the teacher or someone living at the students’ home.
Each student will be given a water flask so that children will not have to exchange bottles.
Interior Minister Takis Theodorikakos said that school canteens will operate normally with all the safety measures provided.
€ 175 million is available in the regions to transport students to schools.
Civil servants who are parents of children who are in vulnerable groups and have to stay home at the suggestion of experts, will have the possibility of teleworking or part-time work for one of the parent.
