Covid in France: first step in the gradual lifting of restrictions

After school holidays turned upside down by the Covid-19 epidemic, it is back to nursery and elementary schools this Monday, April 26.

Martin BUREAU / AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

6 mins

After a forced three-week break to try to curb the third wave of the spread of Covid-19 in France, kindergarten and primary schoolchildren are returning to school on Monday, April 26.

This is the first step in the gradual lifting of restrictions due to the epidemic.

To avoid a new outbreak of contamination, the authorities are betting on strengthening screening.

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Reinforced health protocol for the start of preschool and primary school.

The rule of class closure to the first student tested positive, previously in force in the 19 departments most affected by the epidemic, will now be applied nationwide.

But it is above all on an increase in screening that the authorities are counting on to allow this reopening and reassure parents and teachers: from this Monday, 400,000 saliva tests will be offered each week in elementary schools, with a target of 600,000. by mid-May.

I am happy for my daughter (...), that she is returning to a normal social life.

What worries me is that they said if there is a single case they close the class ...

Laeticia, mother of Sarah, 6 and a half years old, in CP class

Laurence Théault

Towards the end of travel restrictions

While for secondary education, nearly 64 million self-tests have been ordered for staff and students over 15 years old.

These self-tests will not be used immediately, since middle and high school students are back to school on Monday, but remotely.

They will not resume face-to-face or half-gauge until the following week, on May 3, the second stage in the lifting of restrictions with also the announced end of the travel restriction, even if the curfew will remain in force.

It was our request: to have a closure from the first case of Covid ...

Guylaine David, general secretary of Snuipp, the main primary school union

Laurence Théault

It is then “ 

around mid-May 

” that a long-awaited third phase could take place: the reopening of shops and cultural venues.

But on this aspect, the announcements of the Prime Minister have remained cautious until now, Jean Castex evoking a " 

possible

 " reopening, only if the health situation allows it, and " 

accompanied by special conditions, if necessary territorialized

 ".

► Read also: 

Covid-19 in France: the government unveils the gradual lifting of restrictions

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