This applies both to the three-week safety phase at the beginning of school and in the event of a possible test obligation for unvaccinated persons from a medium risk level afterwards.
So if you prefer gargling for a PCR test at home than taking an anterio-nasal swab at school, you can do that. It is only important that a valid test result is available for every full day of school and that a PCR test is included once a week. Teachers can also have themselves continuously tested outside – unlike pupils, they even have to have their PCR tests carried out externally. They can take antigen tests at the school.
In general, the regulation stipulates that in the three-week “safety phase” at the start of school, all pupils must test three times a week, regardless of their vaccination status, one of them using a PCR test. Vaccinated teachers have to perform three antigen tests, unvaccinated two antigen tests and one external PCR test.
The respective test obligation of the students is then determined based on the respective risk situation determined by the incidence (low, medium or high risk) or the vaccination status. After the safety phase, unvaccinated teachers must have a valid test certificate available every day, regardless of the risk situation (PCR test once a week).
Additional containment measures
The regulation also stipulates the school-autonomous option to take additional measures to contain the corona pandemic. There was a similar regulation in the last school year. According to this, directors may order a mask requirement that goes beyond the legal requirements, additional tests and a delayed start of lessons. However, these measures (apart from the delayed start of lessons) are limited to one week and require the approval of the school authorities – vaccinated students are also excluded from this (except for the delayed start of lessons). After a week, however, they can be imposed again for a limited period.
A school-autonomous arrangement of distance learning by the director, for example, is not possible. This may only be decreed by the Minister of Education or the Education Directorate or if the school cannot operate due to a decision by the health authority.
Parents are informed of the consequences
Parents of students who refuse the prescribed corona tests or any mask requirement must first be instructed by the director about the possible consequences. If the refusal persists, the students must stay at home and find out about the subject matter independently, do homework and participate in the development of the subject matter. If students stay away so long that they cannot be assessed with certainty and if they do not take an assessment test scheduled for this reason, they will not be graded.
Pupils who themselves belong to a risk group or whose parents fall into the risk group can, upon request, stay away from classes for a maximum of one week for an important reason. The same applies to children and adolescents who do not feel able to take part in face-to-face classes in connection with COVID-19. After the week has expired, the application can be submitted again – but then a relevant medical certificate must be submitted.
External persons such as reading mentors or members of associations are generally allowed to go to school. However, you must present a 3G certificate and always wear a mouth and nose protection. If the incidence value is 200 or more (high risk), they are no longer allowed to enter the school.
