Pupils who are neither vaccinated nor recovered will need to quarantine for seven days on condition that they carry out a PCR or a certified antigenic self-test on the sixth day after contact with an infected person. In case of refusal to undergo such a test, the quarantine is extended for another seven days.

Vaccinated students who have tested positive for covid-19 will need to isolate for six days and carry out two rapid antigen tests on the fifth and sixth day. Meanwhile, unvaccinated studentx who test positive will be placed in isolation for 10 days.

The education ministry’s new rules will allow for additional measures such as quarantining one or more classes or switching to distance learning in case of increased positive cases.

Obligatory mask wearing and increased testing will also be introduced to reduce the spread of the virus. Teaching and non-teaching staff and students from cycle two will be required to wear a mask, while secondary school students will be able to take a rapid test at school three times a week.

As of 7 January, the government has also allowed for 12 to 18-year-olds to receive a booster shot.