“Parents and teachers now bear an even greater responsibility to avoid endangering each other’s health, the operation of schools or the jobs of parents,” the website said.

It advises parents and teachers to familiarise themselves with symptoms of Covid-19, such as fever, fatigue, a sore throat, diarrhoea and difficulty breathing, as well as the loss of taste or smell, and it asks parents not to allow students to attend school if they exhibit any of these symptoms.

They are accordingly advised to contact their GP by phone.

If a student exhibits symptoms at school, the school doctor and their parents must be informed immediately and steps taken to isolate them.

According to the protocol sent to schools and nurseries, the authorities will conduct contact tracing in the event of an infection being discovered in the school setting.

Earlier:
The government is planning to start the academic year in the regular manner with schools opening on September 1, the human resources ministry says.

According to the ministry’s statement, the status of the coronavirus epidemic does not justify having digital education to replace classrooms, the statement said, adding, however, that “in many countries there has been a significant increase in case numbers and domestic figures also worrying”.

The statement also said that further measures could be ordered should the government and relevant authorities see the need.

Schools will be given a protocol concerning coronavirus prevention, the statement said, adding that parents should not send children with Covid-19 symptoms to school.

Restrictive measures for schools will not be necessary if parents follow a “responsible behaviour” and schools observe basic precautions, the document added.

Under a government decree soon to be published, the next school year will start on September 1, and end on June 15, 2021.

Children will enjoy an autumn break between Oct 23-Nov 1, a winter vacation between Dec 19-Jan 3, and a spring holiday between Apr 1-7.