TEST TO STAY PROTOCOL – JUNIOR SCHOOL
- This is the latest update announced by the Ministry of Health.
- It concerns all Junior School students who are considered close contacts of a confirmed COVID-19 case in their class, after being tested by the Ministry of Health’s Team visiting the school.
- It is in use from Tuesday 1st February.
- It offers the option to students who are close contacts to a confirmed COVID-19 case to continue physically attending school by applying the following procedure:
- Take a rapid test every day for a period of 7 consecutive days after the last day they were in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case at school (excluding Bank holidays and Weekends).
- The rapid tests can only be conducted by the Ministry of Health’s Team from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. at school – all other rapid tests will be dismissed.
- Students can enter the school after receiving the negative rapid test result. If they are found positive, they will need to follow the standard protocol for confirmed cases (10 days of isolation).
- **Fully vaccinated or with a certificate of recovery less than 90 days old students, they will not have to isolate when they are not at school, they will have to follow the Test to Stay protocol to be able to physically attend school only on the 3rd and 5th day.
- For unvaccinated, not fully vaccinated or with a certificate of recovery older than 90 days students, this measure only applies during the standard school hours, thus students will have to isolate at home since they will continue to be considered close contacts (they cannot attend after school activities or take the bus to come to school).
- Students who will choose to stay at home* will be able to attend lessons online.
* Can return to school after 7 days with a negative Rapid or PCR test or after 10 days.
** Have completed two doses of the vaccine