“Coverage school closings are no longer an option in the third year of the pandemic,” says the chapter on schools. A temporary closure of individual classes or locations is still possible – as with other infectious diseases such as measles.
Schools have learned to live with the pandemic in recent years, according to the paper, with reference to measures such as temporary mask requirements or rapid antigen tests in cases of infection or suspected cases. Vaccination is also of crucial importance. In addition, each school has an individual hygiene and prevention concept with regulations for ventilation, for school events or temporary distance learning.
In the variant management plan, the specific procedure is now defined in four different scenarios, with transparent and early communication to the schools being of great importance. In the past, new regulations were often only announced at extremely short notice, or specifications were changed again within a short period of time.
Different scenarios
As scenario 1 (“ideal case”), an end to the pandemic is assumed: although there are many infections, the hospital burden is relatively low. Scenario 2 (“Favorable case”) assumes a longer-term weakening of the pandemic, with a seasonal wave of infection in autumn/winter 2022/23 with a similar extent and severity to the past omicron waves.
For the schools, according to the variant management plan, this would mean in both cases: event-related rapid antigen tests if, for example, a child or young person falls ill during class, and if necessary, a temporary mask requirement at the school location.
In scenario 3 (“worse case”), a new, worrying variant brings a large wave of infection, but the existing immunity of the population and updated vaccines continue to protect against most severe courses. From the transition from Scenario 2 to Scenario 3, the Variant Management Plan (VMP) stipulates that all students, teaching and administrative staff will again carry out PCR testing once a week. During the past school year, the students have almost always done PCR tests once or twice a week.
If scenario 3 occurs in full, there will also be a general obligation to wear masks outside of the class, in the middle school/AHS lower school as well as the AHS upper school and the BMHS for a limited time in the classroom. From this phase, vulnerable children and young people can be exempted from the obligation to be present with a specialist doctor’s certificate. Whether school events such as ski weeks, language trips or hiking days are held depends on the risk assessment at the location.
In scenario 4 (“Very unfavorable case”: Intensification of the pandemic with a very high number of infections and hospitalizations) mouth and nose protection must be worn as standard in the lower grades, and FFP2 masks in the upper grades. School events lasting several days with overnight stays would be suspended in this case.
Source: Nachrichten
