The mask will not be canceled – this is the verdict of experts

The decision to return students to schools without self-testing after the Easter break was made because it was suggested by a committee of experts “with whom we have had excellent cooperation since the start of the pandemic” and followed protocols, said Deputy Education Minister Zetta Macri.

The official pointed out that the leadership of the ministry should be distinguished from the instructions of experts – in this case, so that everyone feels more secure, and in other cases. But this time, “we decided to listen to the experts because we want schools to start working without problems,” while “the first word will be for the experts,” reports in.gr.

Wearing a mask in schools

Ms Makri believes that the mandatory wearing of masks in schools will not be abolished. “Today there will be a final discussion, with the minister and a committee of experts, before the reopening of schools, and some of the measures, such as the mask, will be discussed and the findings presented to the educational community. “But it seems, and I say this with relative certainty, that the mask, which is a gentle and effective protection, will remain,” she told ERT reporters.

Decisions will be made on the epidemiological situation in the country from June – an expert committee on measures to overcome the pandemic is meeting today.

After the Easter holidays, students will go to school without self-examination, but the measure of the systematic use of the mask will remain. Covid checks in schools will now focus on symptomatic individuals. In the event that a child is diagnosed with covid, all classmates will be subject to immediate testing with two self-diagnostic tests on the first and fourth day after diagnosis. The child will return to school at least 24 hours after the fever has completely subsided.

A lot will change in our daily lives from May 1 with the lifting of measures, however, the use of a mask will remain mandatory indoors at least throughout May, and according to the epidemiological situation in the country, decisions will be made on what to do from June, Health Minister Thanos Plevris said on SKAI TV.

“We don’t know (when the mask will be removed). The mask must not be removed indoors because the mask is a gentle measure. We are talking about the fact that at least for May, wearing a mask will remain. And from there onwards, based on the epidemiological situation in the country, it will be decided what we will do from June,” he stressed.

Mr Plevris ran through the government’s plan for easing measures from May 1 to August 31, to be determined by specific protocols following today’s committee meeting proposal.

Some measures, Mr. Plevris emphasized, will be suspended, for example, the demonstration of a certificate of vaccination or illness, writes protothema.gr. About the possibility fourth dose of vaccination of the population Since autumn, Mr. Plevris has responded that this is a purely scientific question, which should be answered by ECDC experts.

He explained that the goal is an annual single dose of a coronavirus vaccine, however, if companies do not prepare it in time, a booster dose may be required.

What will change from May 1

Meanwhile, a group of experts is meeting today to agree on measures to end the pandemic. The lifting of the measures will take place in two stages, from May 1 to August 31. As for today’s information, experts will suggest in which cases the use of a mask will be mandatory even throughout the summer, with the information saying that this is most likely to happen in supermarkets, public transport, hairdressers and pharmacies. However, from May 1, most measures to combat the pandemic will be a thing of the past.

In more detail:

• From June 1, the use of masks in enclosed spaces has been canceled.
• It is expected that in some cases, for example, in public transport, the mask will be kept. Exceptions will be specified in the next joint ministerial decisions.
• The use of a mask in grocery stores, restaurants, entertainment venues and possibly supermarkets and workplaces will remain optional.
• Termination of certificates of vaccinations and diseases from May 1.
• From May 1, presentation of certificates of vaccinations and diseases for access to all territories, both closed and open, will cease.
• There is no obligation to conduct tests where necessary.
• As of May 3, 2022, regular self-tests will be canceled in schools, and return from the Easter holidays will be carried out without a self-test.
• From May 1, a weekly express test is set for access to jobs for the unvaccinated, from May 1 to August 31, 2022, the work of all spaces is returned to 100%, and all previously established restrictions (for covid) are also removed.
• From April 15 the €100 fine does not apply to unvaccinated people over the age of 60.

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