Schools reopen on January 10.

Schools reopen on January 10.

Good news for many students and parents. From January 10, primary schools, secondary schools, and schools for special education may open again. This also applies to after-school care. Mbo schools and universities remain closed for now. This was just said by caretaker minister Arie Slob.

In primary education, secondary education, and special education, students can return to school after the Christmas holiday. The care centers will also open again. At mbo, universities of applied sciences, and universities, online education is given due to an increase in infections in this age group. Some exception groups apply. On January 14, it will be decided when these schools can welcome students again.

Measures for primary schools, secondary schools, and schools for special education

The same rules as during the extended Christmas holiday apply for primary schools, secondary schools, and schools for special education. The following rules apply:

• Students with a mild cold or other corona symptoms must stay home and get tested.
• Schools use walking routes in the hallways, spread breaks, and try to avoid contact between different classes. Students should also come to school on their own where possible.
• Students in grades 6, 7, and 8 of primary school and secondary education students wear face masks in the hallway, as does teaching staff.
• For students in grades 6, 7, and 8 in primary education, all students in secondary education and all teaching staff at these schools: do a preventive self-test at home twice a week, if needed with help from parents or carers. If the test is positive, the person and the rest of the family go into quarantine and get tested at the GGD test location. If the test is negative, the student or teacher can go to school. This urgent test advice applies to everyone, including vaccinated people.
• Also, basic measures still apply in primary and secondary schools. Adults keep 1.5 meters distance from each other (including teachers where possible), parents stay outside the school, and meetings are online.

Measures for mbo, universities of applied sciences, and universities

At mbo, universities of applied sciences, and universities, online education is given because of the rising infections in these age groups. The reopening of mbo and higher education will be reconsidered on January 14. Students in a vulnerable position can attend school physically. Some other exceptions also apply.

Exceptions

• Students in a vulnerable position (including mbo level 1 and 2) and students who must take exams or tests can go to school physically. Also, practical education track lessons can continue.
• Students allowed to attend physically keep 1.5 meters distance from each other where possible. This also applies to teaching staff.
• Library facilities at education institutions remain open for students.

Advice from the Outbreak Management Team

The Outbreak Management Team (OMT) finds opening primary and secondary education responsible, said caretaker minister Slob of Education. But in the higher education age group, infections are not yet decreasing, so the mbo, universities of applied sciences, and universities must sadly remain closed, the OMT advised.

More information

What does this mean for you and your child? You can read the answers to frequently asked questions in our FAQ. For personal advice, you can call our advice point at 088-6050101. They are ready to help you from Wednesday, January 5 at 9:30 am.