While Jean Castex announced last Thursday the “end of the wearing of the compulsory mask in all places” where it is still applied, except transport, the implementation of these measures and the announcement of a new health protocol in schools are expected from Monday 14 March. Here are the main changes to come.
On Monday March 7, the pupils of zone C returned to school at the end of the winter holidays. As announced by the head of government, this return was accompanied by a new level 2 health protocol.
It resulted in the end of the wearing of masks outdoors, the return of indoor sports activities without masks (respecting distancing) except for contact sports, reduction in the rules limiting mixing, in particular on catering hours, and simplification of self-tests.
From now on, the presentation of a declaration on honor of the legal guardians of the pupils attesting to the realization of the tests is no longer required to welcome the pupils in the schools.
We are entering a new phase of easing health measures.
March 14:
– the vaccination pass will be suspended wherever it applied
– the obligation to wear a mask will be lifted everywhere, including classes, except in public transport. pic.twitter.com/EPMwNNJ9it
— Jean Castex (@JeanCASTEX) March 3, 2022
End of wearing a mask indoors
From next Monday, March 14, the protocol should be further relaxed. Jean-Michel Blanquer has already confirmed that the mask will no longer be compulsory in classrooms. In addition, if a case of Covid is detected, the current scheme will continue to apply: isolation of the sick student, and two self-tests (instead of three) for contact cases.
A good practice guide (as in companies) could also be put in place to replace the health protocol.
However, the situation is still subject to change. The Minister therefore specified that the new modalities envisaged (transition to level 1 of the health protocol, mixing of students, practice of sport, procedure to follow in the event of a student positive for Covid, etc.) would be discussed during a meeting with a “ coordination body with trade unions and health authorities” this Thursday, March 9.
Teachers remain cautious
Announcements received rather favorably by the teachers’ unions, who nevertheless have some doubts about their application: “This is good news, which needs to be worked on in detail, we still want to know what we are doing with the port of the mask if we have positive cases that appear” wondered, for example, Stéphane Crochet from the SE-Unsa union.
“I think everyone aspires to remove the mask and especially indoors. But we must remain in a logic of epidemic prevention and surveillance, ”added Laetitia Aresu, national secretary of Sgen-CFDT in a press release.