STA, 12 November 2021 - Primary and secondary school students will start self-testing on school premises on Wednesday, the government decided on Thursday as it delayed the 15 November start by two days. Testing will be carried out three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays, and will count as a Covid pass for children.
The decree the government changed last evening also says that parents will have to sign a consent to allow their children to self-test at school.
Vaccinated school children and coronavirus convalescents will not be required to self-test.
The children whose parents will opt against at-school self-testing will switch to remote learning, under a decision taken by the education minister.
However, these parents are not entitled to compensation for wages if they take days off from work to stay home with their children.
The Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Affairs explained that parents deciding not to allow children to be self-tested is not an external or unexpected event beyond their control as defined in the law on on healthcare emergency measures.
"If a parent wants to stay at home with the child, they will have to make other arrangements with the employer," the ministry added.
By self-testing at school, children will meet the PCT (reconvalescent-vaccinated-tested) rule, which is also required for extra-curricular activities, the decree says.
At-school self-testing will be carried out under the supervision of a person assigned by the head teachers.
Special needs children will also have to self-test, albeit at home.
