(Photo: Kobi Gideon / GPO)
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz and Education Minister Yifat Shasha Bitton presented at a press conference the “Testing and Learning” program to change the format of isolations in the education system. The new guidelines will take effect next Thursday, January 27th.
“In recent weeks, almost all parents in Israel have been experiencing distress,” Bennett said. “The omicron wave is reaching its peak, the number of patients is large and the number of isolates is also large, especially in unvaccinated children. I am attentive to distress, but we have been waiting to see what happens to others who have already passed the wave peak,” Bennett said.
“We are very careful about everything related to children’s health. So we have been waiting to see what is happening elsewhere in the world. In recent days I have had thorough discussions with the health system, with the aim of seeing how children can be returned to school safely.”
From the Knesset channel
“Tonight we have a line – the children of Israel are returning to study continuously,” he said. “The outline is a common outline for everyone’s opinion. Starting next Thursday, we will start Operation ‘Testing and Learning’. All Israeli children will be tested twice a week at home – on Sunday morning, and Wednesday morning. The child has 3 free tests, and in the coming days we will make sure to pass on tens of millions more free tests to the parents. “
Horowitz: “Moving from isolation to testing policy”
Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz said that “the move we are making today is a direct continuation of our strategy throughout the omicron wave – maintaining the sensitive balance between health, economy and democracy.” Where the public can be relieved, where the routine can be balanced – we do it. “He added that the outline is for all ages, including nurseries:” The simplest way was to send all the students home to sit in front of screens. We are moving from isolation to a policy of testing that will be distributed free of charge. Those who are found positive will stay at home – everyone else will be able to continue their studies. “
“We see all the considerations, working to prevent infection mainly in the elderly public and those at risk of serious illness – and at the same time, we see the importance of the continuous routine of schooling,” he added. “Unfortunately, we have clearly seen the impact of the closures in the education system led by the previous government. There is a leap in mental distress and difficulties. Also in the Delta wave we insisted that the school year opens – also from the health aspect – “And Israel is the world leader in this field.”
(Photo: Kobi Gideon / GPO)
Education Minister Yifat Shasha Bitton said that “we made the best and most correct decision at this time. We made a brave decision, to live next to the corona. It was easiest to close the education system but our duty to save every boy and girl who experienced two difficult years.”
Who should be tested and when? all the details
According to the Ministry of Health, students in the entire education system will be required to perform two antigen tests a week – on Sundays and Wednesdays, before arriving on the school day. A student whose home test result is positive will not attend school, and will be tested at a supervised test station.
If the result of the supervised examination is negative – the student will return to the educational institution for a study routine. If the result of the supervised test is positive – the student will perform five full days of isolation until recovery (subject to home tests on days 4 and 5 and a negative result in both). Students who have been exposed to a verified student will no longer be required to enter solitary confinement. It was further emphasized that students with symptoms are required not to come to school and be tested on a home antigen test.
Photo: Noam Rivkin Fenton / Flash 90
The new outline will be applied to students of all ages and in all educational institutions: kindergartens (including nurseries), elementary schools, middle and high schools, yeshivas and boarding schools. Home test kits will be distributed from time to time to all students – free of charge.
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