The latest set of rules differs between primary and secondary schools, though all pupils will be required to undertake regular lateral flow tests.
The wearing of masks in classrooms is now 'strongly recommended' for secondary and post-16 students but Education, Sport & Culture have stopped short of making them mandatory. Primary school pupils will not be required to wear masks in the classroom.
Announcing the additional mitigations today, director of Education Nick Hynes said there was an absolute focus on keeping educational settings open and that the latest measures were 'the new norm'.
'There will be disruption, it is unavoidable,' he said, 'but by introducing further measures specific to education, we are trying to minimise that disruption and slow or halt the spread wherever we can, so that our young people can maintain their studies. That is our priority while the island as a whole manages the implications of this Omicron wave.’
The measures, which ESC developed in consultation with Public Health, include a requirement that all students and staff have negative LFTs on the day before they return and on the morning of each of the first three days of term. Thereafter, staff and students at all States schools will be required to continue taking the tests before arriving at school on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the term. This does not apply to pre-schools.
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