With the start of the school year on September 1, teachers, non-teaching staff, students and visitors, whether vaccinated or not, will be required to wear masks in all enclosed spaces within educational institution. Students in grades X through XII and students in vocational institutions are encouraged to wear a mask indoors whenever keeping a physical distance is unfeasible. Masks must cover both the mouth and the nose. The provisions are contained in a decision of the Extraordinary National Commission on Public Health (CNESP), which does not specify however anything about wearing of masks by primary school pupils, IPN reports.
The decision also clarifies aspects related to the organization of the education process. In particular, it is recommended to stagger the start times of classes and breaks during the day. For example, entrance and exit times of groups of pupils or students can be staggered at 15-20-minute intervals to avoid congestion.
It is also recommended to reduce the number of hours spent by students inside, and postpone or cancel activities that bring together children from different classes, such as sport or cultural events, as well as extracurricular activities during periods of increased risk of infection, in order to avoid crowding and limit the spread of respiratory infections.
Physical education classes will be preferably held outdoors, with activities where physical distance can be maintained and which avoid strenuous effort. Gyms will only be used when weather conditions are unfavorable.
Also, when the weather and the taught subject-matter allows it, the Commission recommends holding classes outdoors.
