Israelis school students return to class day after daily Covid record

Jerusalem, Sep 1 (EFE).- Classroom doors were opened to some 2.5 million school students across Israel Wednesday as the summer break came to an end one day after health authorities notched the highest 24-hour jump in Covid-19 cases yet.

Students, parents and teachers must show a negative test or a vaccination certificate to access school grounds as the new term gets underway amid a fourth wave of the virus that saw a daily record surge of 11,000 cases registered Tuesday.

In light of the situation, the health ministry distributed rapid Covid-19 tests to students’ households before the first day back. The over-12s will also be offered vaccines at school, with the permission of their parents.

Schools in cities and towns with infection rates classed as yellow, green or orange on the country’s alert system will proceed largely as normal but students in red zones will have to study in smaller groups or even outdoors.

Israel’s education ministry said that in-class learning in schools and nurseries will allow pupils to overcome the learning gaps produced by the pandemic as well as deal with the emotional and social challenges of the last 18 months.

Israel has offered vaccines to over 12s since June but just a third of the 12-15 age group has received the shot. EFE

pd/jt/ks