Corona rules at school.

Corona rules at school.

Today the schools in the North region open their doors again. Before the summer holiday, the cabinet decided that both primary and secondary schools can fully open again. Of course, following the known measures. It remains crucial that we follow the basic hygiene rules. Children, parents, and school staff with symptoms stay at home. But there are more corona rules at school.

Rivm guidelines in effect

The general guidelines from the RIVM still apply to schools. This means:

• Adults always keep 1.5 meters distance from each other.
• Everyone washes their hands often.
• Everyone works from home as much as possible after classes.

For children up to and including 12 years, they can go to school and after-school care despite having a runny nose. Read more about these rules.

For primary education, students and staff do not have to keep 1.5 meters distance from each other. Teachers and other adults within the school must keep 1.5 meters distance from each other. For secondary education, students do not have to keep 1.5 meters distance from each other. Students, staff, and adults must keep 1.5 meters distance. Different protocols can be found on the website www.weernaarschool.nl.

Quarantine when returning from countries or regions with an orange or red travel advice

It is advised not to go on vacation to countries with an orange or red travel advice. The fourteen days of home quarantine after staying in a country with an orange or red travel advice applies to parents, teachers, school staff, and children over 12 years. They must stay home and cannot go to school or the schoolyard. Children from 4 to 12 years without health complaints can go to school, childcare, and participate in sports activities. The school does not have to report absence for students who cannot go to school right after the summer holiday because of home quarantine. This also does not apply to children who travel to a country where the travel advice changes during the holiday and who therefore must quarantine at home for 14 days upon return. Schools are urged to check how to give distance learning to children in home quarantine as much as possible.

Children or family members who belong to the risk group

Not all students can automatically go back to physical school after the summer holiday. If students themselves belong to the risk groups according to the RIVM, or have family members in the risk group, then students can be exempted from physical education. The school offers replacement (distance) education for these students. Parents can contact the school management about this. If parents are unsure about safety to go to school, the advice is to contact the school management, the treating doctor, or the youth doctor or youth nurse connected to the school. More information is also available on the website of the Dutch government.

What is the role of the truancy officer?

Enforcement of compulsory education is possible again for absenteeism not related to corona. This also applies to absence due to corona, but where the student does not take part in the adjusted education program such as (online) distance lessons.

The truancy officer works according to a methodical approach to absenteeism. This means the officer conducts an investigation and decides whether and how to enforce compulsory education. This also applies to absenteeism due to corona. For example, absence of students with a weak health, students with family members with weak health, or parents and students with corona anxiety.

The school does not have to report absence for students who cannot go to school right after the summer holiday because of home quarantine.

What about ventilation in school buildings?

School buildings must be well ventilated to prevent possible infections. Schools have written a guide based on RIVM guidelines that rooms must be aired regularly. Also, recirculation of air in one room like the cafeteria must be avoided. Schools are advised to air for 10 to 15 minutes regularly by opening windows and doors opposite each other. Or at least during breaks and before, between, and after school time. Many schools have already checked the ventilation of their own school buildings. If not yet done, they will do this soon.

More information

The answers to frequently asked questions are in our FAQ. For personal advice you can call our advice point on working days at 088-6050101.