Covid-19 prevention measures in Latvian schools may differ / Article / LSM.lv

Today, 20:05

Authors:
Tina Sidorovich

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There is still no clear plan for what will happen in schools in the new school year. Recommendations for action to curb the spread of Covid-19 infections have been circulated to schools this month, giving each school, both large and small, a more specific indication of what can be done in anticipation of 1 September.

Whether and which part of schools and students will be able to study face-to-face will largely depend on the epidemiological situation in the country, the city and the particular school.

“We would like very much and all schools want to be able to implement this school year in person,” said Guntis Vasilevskis, the director of Riga State Secondary School No. 2.

Even the assessment of each case will vary depending on how the school exchanges will organize exchanges and possible interactions.

One of the recommendations in the range of recommendations developed by the Ministry of Education for schools – just like in any public place – is distance, but not only.

“It is not necessary to observe this distance of two meters within the classroom. It is at the initiative and possibilities of each school. For example, different lesson times – one for some classes, another for others,” said Juris Zīvarts, a representative of the State Education Quality Service (IKVD).

To minimize congestion, such as at a canteen and various classrooms closer than 2 meters, the behavior may be different for each school. It will depend on the size of the school premises and the number of students. It is important that everyone – both students and teachers – comes to school only when they feel healthy.

It has already been reported that there are schools where body temperature measuring devices will determine whether the entrant is healthy at the entrance door.

“Human temperature is not a panacea, not all conclusions can be drawn from it. We really want to teach students to make sure that they have a good feeling of health,” Vasilevsky said earlier.

Riga State 2nd Gymnasium and Ādaži Primary School received these devices as gifts, but what will they do in other schools? Where there is no support from wealthy parents or other benefactors.

“I can’t say at the moment whether we can or can’t afford it. Of course, we are very interested and we will look at it with our budget. Whether we succeed or not. But this would be a good solution,” says Kritine, the deputy principal of the 31st secondary school. Kunce.

The temperature measuring device, which can serve about 700 people per hour, has also attracted colleagues from Riga Secondary School No. 31. There are about 500 students in this school in Vecmīlgrāvis, so the possibility of purchasing such equipment is being considered. However, what would solve the fact that all students measure the temperature?

“If the school decides to introduce such a device here, a very important factor in the development will be what will be done in the situation if there is this elevated temperature,” said an IKVD specialist.

It is important that everyone, including parents, knows clearly what will happen if the student has a fever or signs of a respiratory illness. For example, there are already regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers, which stipulate that a child with a temperature above 37.5 degrees may not enter a pre-school institution. There are no such rules for schools. This means that it will be up to each school to decide.

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