Millions of students and their teachers are heading back to school this Thursday, September 2 in mainland France. A return to school under the sign of Covid like last year, but this time with u ...

Covid-19: in France, a high risk back to school

To prevent the start of the school year from causing a rebound in the Covid-19 epidemic, the Ministry of National Education has put in place a health protocol, which however does not convince the unions.

AFP - FREDERICK FLORIN

Text by: RFI Follow

4 min

Millions of students and their teachers are heading back to school this Thursday, September 2 in mainland France.

A return under the sign of the Covid like last year, but this time with a Delta variant, more contagious.

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The Scientific Council says it bluntly: "

the emergence of the Delta variant with increased transmissibility raises the fear of a pediatric epidemic at the start of the school year

At issue: the fact that children under 12 are not eligible for vaccination, and that half of 12-17 year olds are not vaccinated.

If the circulation of the virus seems to have slowed down recently in France, the incidence rates remain high - it is 130 in children under 9 years old and 230 in 10-19 year olds.

The example of Scotland and certain German regions, where children have returned to school earlier, and where contamination has increased, gives credence to the scenario feared by the scientific council. Not only may the coronavirus not be harmless in children, but if it begins to circulate intensely in schools, it could have a significant impact on the rest of the population, affecting people at greater risk and more unvaccinated. likely to have serious forms. Note that 15% of people over 50 are not vaccinated.

“

You have to keep in mind that an epidemic wave does not concern much more than 5% of the population.
But that's enough to saturate the hospital system.
But today, there is still a large 5% of people over 50 who risk being hospitalized,

”warns epidemiologist Antoine Flahault who says he is based on the example of Israel where the large proportion of people vaccinated did not prevent a new wave of contaminations and deaths.

Sanitary protocol

Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer promises a serene return to school.

To prevent the return to school from being synonymous with an epidemic rebound with its attendant serious cases, his ministry has implemented level 2 of the health protocol - on a scale of 4. If the health pass will not be compulsory, masks will be worn in closed spaces and classrooms will be ventilated.

This protocol also provides for limiting mixing between students.

Sports activities should, for example, be adapted so that a certain physical distance can be maintained between them.

For school trips, if the activities take place in slots reserved for students, the health pass will not apply either.

However, it will be asked if they mix with other audiences.

Like last year, if a student tests positive for Covid, their class will close for seven days.

In middle and high schools, case-contact or contaminated students who do not justify a complete vaccination will have to continue their courses remotely for a week.

Vaccinated middle and high school students will be able to continue face-to-face lessons.

Finally, vaccination centers will be opened near schools.

From the age of 16, young people can be vaccinated without parental authorization.

Not enough for the teachers' unions who are calling for the generalization of tests.

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Read also: Back to school in France: the health protocol does not convince the teaching unions

Covid-19: in France, a high risk back to school

Covid-19: in France, a high risk back to school

Sanitary protocol

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