Primary school students back at school on monday.

Primary school students back at school on monday.

Primary school and childcare will reopen next Monday under conditions. Secondary schools remain closed for now. The cabinet announced this on Tuesday during the press conference.

Primary schools and childcare can reopen from Monday, February 8. The cabinet follows the advice from the OMT with this decision.

‘An important decision’, says Rutte. ‘For the children and the teachers. Children learn best at school. This is also a decision where all interests must be carefully weighed.’

The schools may open under the following conditions:

• Children and teachers go into quarantine for five days if there is an infection.
• Contacts between students and staff are limited. This can be done by planning breaks and start times differently.
• The advice is for children in the highest groups to work in pairs. Where possible, they should keep one and a half meters apart.
• The advice is for children in the lower groups to work in fixed groups of a maximum size. This limits contacts between children.
• Schools can advise children from group 7 and 8 to wear a face mask in the school hallways. Especially if keeping one and a half meters distance is not well possible.
• School is only for teaching, care, and childcare. Activities like team days or parent evenings are held online.

Quarantine

All students in a class should go into quarantine if a classmate is infected. The quarantine lasts five days. On the fifth day, they can get tested. It is not required. Those who test negative can return to school physically. Students who do not get tested stay in quarantine for five more days. During quarantine days, students follow distance learning.

Rapid tests are used for primary school teachers and childcare supervisors. School children will also be included in the source and contact research by the GGD from now on.

Secondary Schools

Secondary schools and after-school care (BSO’s) cannot reopen yet and stay closed until at least March 2. According to the OMT, opening this could lead to extra contacts and possibly more spread of the coronavirus. Rutte: ‘If possible, secondary schools will reopen as soon as possible. This will not be before March 1. We will decide on February 23.’

Exceptions are for children of parents with crucial jobs, vulnerable children, students in the Practical education track, and exam students. See the complete overview.

Questions

For answers about education during the corona period, visit our FAQ page. It is continuously updated with the latest information. You can also contact our staff by email: vraag@oudersenonderwijs.nl or by phone: 088-6050101. We are available on weekdays from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.